Embryonic loss from 30 to 60 days post breeding and the effect of palpation per rectum on pregnancy

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 551 - 556
• Main Authors: Alexander, B.M., Johnson, M.S., Guardia, R.O., Van de Graaf, W.L., Senger, P.L., Sasser, R.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.1995
• Subjects: bPSPB; DIAGNOSIS DE LA GESTACION; DIAGNOSTIC DE GESTATION; embryonic loss; FETO; FOETUS; GENISSE; heifers; MORT DU FOETUS; MUERTE FETAL; NOVILLA; palpation; PROTEINAS; PROTEINE; SERUM SANGUIN; SUERO SANGUINEO; VACAS LECHERAS; VACHE LAITIERE; embryonic loss; heifers; bPSPB; palpation
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/0093-691X(94)00060-8

This study was conducted over a 12-mo period to determine the rate of bovine embryo death between 30 and 60 d of gestation. In addition, palpation per rectum as a means of pregnancy detection was evaluated as a possible cause of embryo death. Estrus was synchronized in Holstein heifers (n = 1358), weighing ≥ 385 kg, with a single intramuscular injection of 25 mg prostaglandin F2α. Estrus was primarily detected by the absence of paint marks on the tailhead. The heifers were artificially inseminated with semen from 5 Holstein sires. Blood was collected between 30 and 45 d after breeding, and sera were evaluated for the presence of bovine pregnancy-specific protein B (bPSPB) by RIA to determine pregnancy. Palpation for fetal membrane slip was conducted by an experienced technician in approximately one-half of the inseminated heifers. To determine embryonic survival, a second blood sample was collected at approximately 60 d from 862 heifers that were determined to be pregnant at the first blood sampling. Embryonic loss averaged 5.3% during the interval between the initial detection of pregnancy at 30 to 45 d and the subsequent detection of pregnancy at 60 d of gestation. Embryo loss in heifers that were palpated was 6.5% compared with that of 4.3% in the control heifers (X2: P = 0.145). These findings establish that there was substantial loss of embryos between 30 and 60 d post breeding but that embryo loss was not affected by palpation per rectum.