Early pregnancy diagnosis on days 18 to 21 postinsemination using high-resolution imaging in lactating dairy cows

Abstract

The aim was to assess the ability of corpus luteum (CL) and uterine ultrasound characteristics on d 18 to 21 to predict pregnancy status in lactating dairy cows. Ultrasound examinations were carried out on cows (n = 164) on d 18 to 21 following artificial insemination (AI). Images of the uterus and CL were captured using a Voluson i ultrasound device (General Electric Healthcare Systems, Vienna, Austria) equipped with a 12-MHz, multi frequency, linear array probe. Serum concentrations of progesterone were determined from blood samples collected at each ultrasound examination. Images of the CL were captured and stored for calculation of CL tissue area and echotexture. Images of the CL and associated blood flow area were captured and stored for analysis of luteal blood flow ratio. Longitudinal B-mode images of the uterine horns were stored for analysis of echotexture. Diagnosis of pregnancy was made at each ultrasound examination based on CL blood flow, CL size, and uterine echotexture. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography on d 30 after AI. The relationship between ultrasound measures and pregnancy outcome, as well as the accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis made at each ultrasound examination was assessed. Progesterone concentrations and CL tissue area were greater in pregnant compared with nonpregnant cows on all days. The CL blood flow ratio was higher in pregnant compared with nonpregnant cows on d 20 and 21 after AI. Echotexture measures of the CL and uterus were not different between pregnant and nonpregnant cows on any day of examination. The best logistic regression model to predict pregnancy included scores for CL blood flow, CL size, and uterine echotexture on d 21 following AI. Accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis was highest on d 21, with sensitivity and specificity being 97.6 and 97.5%, respectively. Uterine echotexture scores were similar for pregnant and nonpregnant cows from d 18 to 20. On d 21, pregnant cows had higher uterine echotexture scores compared with nonpregnant cows. The logistic regression equation most likely to provide a correct pregnancy diagnosis in lactating dairy cows included the visual score for CL blood flow, CL size, and uterine echotexture on d 21 after AI. In support of this finding, the diagnostic accuracy for visual scores of CL blood flow, CL size, and uterine echotexture were also highest on d 21.

Administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on Day 5 increases luteal blood flow and improves pregnancy prediction accuracy on Day 14 in recipient Holstein cows

“…Previous studies indicated that the blood flow area (BFA) and/or blood flow velocity in a CL are closely associated with the plasma P 4 concentrations throughout the estrous cycle, thus advancing CDUS a powerful tool for evaluating the CL function [ 9 , 13 ]. Therefore, recent studies have employed CDUS in practical applications for pregnancy diagnosis [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Indeed, the BFA of the CL measured by CDUS during early pregnancy is higher in pregnant than non-pregnant dairy cows at Days 19–21 post-insemination [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Therefore, recent studies have employed CDUS in practical applications for pregnancy diagnosis [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Indeed, the BFA of the CL measured by CDUS during early pregnancy is higher in pregnant than non-pregnant dairy cows at Days 19–21 post-insemination [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In addition, evaluating the luteal blood flow provides a quick, reliable, and consistent test, especially for early detection in non-pregnant cows at Days 20–21 after AI [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Optical density changes in ultrasonographic images of the endometrium and corpus luteum in pregnant and cyclic cows

“…Arashiro et al (33) also reported a constant level of luteal mean pixel value onset of luteolysis in goats, although it decreased dramatically 48 h later. In a study by Scully et al (21), it was shown that there were no differences in the luteal echotextures on days 18-21 relative to artificial insemination between P and NP cows. Lacking mean luteal OD differences could be related to the existence of no or a weak correlation between progesterone level and luteal echotextural parameters (14,19,33).…”

“…Cyclical endometrial echotexture changes in relation to peripheral concentrations of ovarian hormones in cows (14), mares (20), and goats (16). Furthermore, a recent study by Scully et al (21) showed that pregnant and cyclic cows could be identified according to the uterine echogenicity on day 21 following artificial insemination (AI).…”

Deteksi Kebuntingan Dini pada Sapi Perah dengan Pemeriksaan Ultrasnography (USG) dan Analisis Hormon Steroid

“…Beberapa metode diagnosis kebuntingan pada sapi perah yang telah dilakukan antara lain eksplorasi rektal pada kebuntingan usia dini (Romano et al 2006), USG untuk mengamati aliran darah pada corpus luteum (CL), ukuran CL dan tekstur dari uterus (Scully et al 2014), progesteron assay untuk mengamati pengaruh progesteron terhadap perubahan endometrium (Forde et al 2011), analisis progesteron pada susu (Markusfeld et al1990;Oltenacu et al1990). Analisis kebuntingan menggunakan hormon progesteron dapat dilakukan dengan teknik enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Green et al2005) dan Radio Immuno Assay (RIA) (Tjiptosumirat 2009).…”