Use of Ultrasound in the Reproductive Management of Dairy Cattle

• Published in: Reproduction in domestic animals 2012-06, Vol.47 (s3), p.34-44
• Main Authors: Quintela, LA, Barrio, M, Peña, AI, Becerra, JJ, Cainzos, J, Herradón, PG, Díaz, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: abnormal development; animal ovaries; Animal reproduction; Animals; Cattle; colposcopy; dairy cattle; Dairying; embryonic mortality; estrous cycle; farmers; Female; Genitalia, Female - ultrastructure; Pregnancy; pregnancy diagnosis; prices; Reproduction - physiology; reproductive efficiency; Ultrasonic imaging; ultrasonics; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0936-6768; 1439-0531
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02032.x

The significant decrease in fertility observed in dairy cattle during the last few decades and increasing requirements by the farmers have made a regular control of reproduction indispensable to urgently identify and solve potential problems affecting reproductive efficiency. Traditionally, the main diagnostic methods used for reproductive control in cattle included rectal palpation, inspection of vaginal discharge and vaginoscopy. Since the 1990s, the use of ultrasound (US) has become a common diagnostic method as a result of the new advances made in the development of US scans: smaller size, high level of autonomy, high image quality and accessible prices. Ultrasound improves accuracy in the diagnoses of stages of the oestrous cycle, ovarian and uterine pathologies, and pregnancy diagnosis. In addition, it facilitates the diagnosis of alterations during pregnancy (embryo mortality, foetal malformations, etc.) and helps determining foetal sex from day 55 of pregnancy.