Correlation between pregnancy diagnosis by membrane slip and embryonic mortality

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Animal Husbandry

Background:

• Accurate pregnancy diagnosis is crucial for dairy herd management.
• Rectal palpation with the membrane slip technique is a common method for early pregnancy detection in cattle.
• Understanding factors influencing embryonic survival is essential for reproductive efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the embryonic death rate in pregnant cows based on the timing of rectal palpation.
• To investigate potential iatrogenic effects of the membrane slip technique on early pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Pregnancy diagnosis in 7,477 pregnant cows (Holstein-Friesians and Guernseys) using rectal palpation and the membrane slip technique.
• Cows were examined twice by a veterinary student and a clinician.
• Embryonic death rate was compared between examinations before and after 50 days of gestation.

Main Results:

• A total of 7,058 cows (94.4%) calved after being diagnosed pregnant.
• The embryonic death rate was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in cows examined within the first 50 days of gestation compared to those examined later.
• Significant differences in embryonic loss were observed between herds across different years (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Early rectal palpation (before 50 days) is associated with a higher embryonic death rate in pregnant cows.
• The study found no conclusive evidence that the membrane slip technique directly causes iatrogenic abortion.
• Herd and yearly variations influence embryonic loss, suggesting multifactorial causes beyond examination timing.