A review of various pregnancy diagnosis methods in dairy cows: reproductive management tools

Document Type : Scientific-Extensional Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student in Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

Early and accurate diagnosis of pregnancy and reproductive disorders is a fundamental component of reproductive management in dairy cows and plays a direct role in enhancing economic efficiency and lifetime productivity. High reproductive efficiency is a prerequisite for achieving optimal economic returns in dairy operations, and timely pregnancy detection contributes significantly to shortening the calving interval. Rapid identification of non-pregnant cows, followed by timely therapeutic interventions and re-insemination, helps maintain the open days after calving at around 60 days and maximizes reproductive efficiency. Pregnancy diagnosis methods in dairy cows can be broadly classified into direct and indirect approaches. Direct methods, such as rectal palpation, transrectal ultrasonography, assessment of uterine horn asymmetry, and evaluation of corpus luteum persistence, rely on direct observation of reproductive status. Indirect methods provide reliable information on pregnancy status by measuring circulating biomarkers in maternal blood, including progesterone, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins, early pregnancy factor, and commercial ELISA tests. An ideal pregnancy test should be capable of delivering accurate, rapid, reliable, and practical results during the early stages of gestation while remaining cost-effective. This review aims to examine both conventional and novel pregnancy diagnostic methods in dairy cows and to assess the potential of advanced technologies in identifying new biomarkers and designing future research strategies to improve reproductive management and enhance economic productivity in dairy herds.

Keywords

References

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