Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation

Pregnancy detection during late gestation (last trimester) in domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) gives the possibility to select and enclose the pregnant reindeer during calving as protection against predation. The aim of the present study was to compare transrectal ultrasonography...

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Autor principal: Paul, Elisabeth
Formato: H2
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: SLU/Dept. of Animal Nutrition and Management (until 231231) 2014
Materias:
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author Paul, Elisabeth
author_browse Paul, Elisabeth
author_facet Paul, Elisabeth
author_sort Paul, Elisabeth
collection Epsilon Archive for Student Projects
description Pregnancy detection during late gestation (last trimester) in domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) gives the possibility to select and enclose the pregnant reindeer during calving as protection against predation. The aim of the present study was to compare transrectal ultrasonography and palpation, and also to describe visual examination as traditionally used by herders as pregnancy detection methods in reindeer. In all, 1107 female reindeer were tested for pregnancy with ultrasound in April 2013 and April 2014. 207 from these females were tested with palpation in April 2014. In 2013 ultrasound showed an apparent pregnancy prevalence of 83.1% and a calving rate of 88.3%. In 2014 two tests, ultrasound (US) and palpation (PALP) were conducted independently. Females with an unclear or negative pregnancy result were re-examined by both methods. Observed calving rate was 93.0%. Accuracy for both evaluations was 94.2% (US) and 97.7% (PALP), with sensitivity of 95% (US) and 98.8% (PALP). Both methods showed good results, however palpation was slightly more accurate than ultrasound. Both test outcomes increased to a specificity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 100% when combining the two methods. Hence, combination of both methods and re-examination were found to increase correct test outcomes. Two herders were asked to describe their indicators for visual evaluation of pregnancy. The indicators differed between the herders, but both looked for changes in abdominal and inguinal anatomy. Accuracy was not calculated. However, herders seemed to associate high body weights with pregnancy.
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institution Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
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publishDate 2014
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spelling RepoSLU73732015-08-06T23:15:07Z Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation Paul, Elisabeth reindeer pregnancy ultrasonography palpation visual examination herders predation Pregnancy detection during late gestation (last trimester) in domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) gives the possibility to select and enclose the pregnant reindeer during calving as protection against predation. The aim of the present study was to compare transrectal ultrasonography and palpation, and also to describe visual examination as traditionally used by herders as pregnancy detection methods in reindeer. In all, 1107 female reindeer were tested for pregnancy with ultrasound in April 2013 and April 2014. 207 from these females were tested with palpation in April 2014. In 2013 ultrasound showed an apparent pregnancy prevalence of 83.1% and a calving rate of 88.3%. In 2014 two tests, ultrasound (US) and palpation (PALP) were conducted independently. Females with an unclear or negative pregnancy result were re-examined by both methods. Observed calving rate was 93.0%. Accuracy for both evaluations was 94.2% (US) and 97.7% (PALP), with sensitivity of 95% (US) and 98.8% (PALP). Both methods showed good results, however palpation was slightly more accurate than ultrasound. Both test outcomes increased to a specificity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 100% when combining the two methods. Hence, combination of both methods and re-examination were found to increase correct test outcomes. Two herders were asked to describe their indicators for visual evaluation of pregnancy. The indicators differed between the herders, but both looked for changes in abdominal and inguinal anatomy. Accuracy was not calculated. However, herders seemed to associate high body weights with pregnancy. SLU/Dept. of Animal Nutrition and Management (until 231231) 2014 H2 eng https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/7373/
spellingShingle reindeer
pregnancy
ultrasonography
palpation
visual examination
herders predation
Paul, Elisabeth
Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation
title Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation
title_full Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation
title_fullStr Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation
title_full_unstemmed Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation
title_short Pregnancy detection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation
title_sort pregnancy detection in reindeer (rangifer tarandus tarandus) : comparison of transrectal ultrasound, abdominal palpation and herders' visual cues in late gestation
topic reindeer
pregnancy
ultrasonography
palpation
visual examination
herders predation