Comparison of accuracy of ultrasonography, progesterone, and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein tests for pregnancy diagnosis in semidomesticated reindeer.

The aim of the study was to compare transrectal ultrasound with progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) as pregnancy detection methods for semidomesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in field conditions. Female reindeer (n=195) were scanned transrectally by a 7.5-MHz linear array transducer, and blood was sampled either in December 2005 (n=33), December 2006 (n=92), or January 2007 (n=70) during early or mid gestation.

Acute BRSV infection in young AI bulls: effect on sperm quality.

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection is an important part of the calf pneumonia complex, occasionally affecting even adult cattle. However, the pathogenicity of BRSV in animals older than 6 months is often neglected. Finland is free of many contagious diseases in farm animals, and this gives a good opportunity to study the effects of specific pathogens on bovine reproduction.

Ultrasonography in early pregnancy diagnosis and measurements of fetal size in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus).

Transrectal or transabdominal examinations of 13 pluriparous reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) by ultrasonography from the start of mating until week 20 of gestation were conducted to find out when pregnancy could first be detected and to describe fetal development in early pregnancy. The examinations (n=35 per animal) were performed with a 5 MHz linear transducer from 7th October until 1st January and with a 3 MHz sector transducer from that time until 24th February. Time of pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasonography, the first fetal heartbeat and measurements of crown-rump length, chest width and chest depth were recorded during the examinations.