Palpation Chris Ellason

Positions of tract The reproductive tract lies on the bottom of the pelvis suspended by the broad ligament with the ovaries lying on either side of the tract.The reproductive tract lies on the bottom of the pelvis suspended by the broad ligament with the ovaries lying on either side of the tract. Ovaries may lie underneath in the gravid cow.Ovaries may lie underneath in the gravid cow.

Entering the tract Form an arrow with your fingers (nails clipped short) and enter the anal sphincter.Form an arrow with your fingers (nails clipped short) and enter the anal sphincter. Fold your fingers back making a fist and enter further avoiding rectal contractions. Fold your fingers back making a fist and enter further avoiding rectal contractions.

Position of other organs Be careful to avoid the rumen which is on the left of the cow.Be careful to avoid the rumen which is on the left of the cow. In late term pregnancies, the fetus will be down deep.In late term pregnancies, the fetus will be down deep. Rumen will indent and then slowly respond.Rumen will indent and then slowly respond.

The open tract On the ventral floor of the uterus.On the ventral floor of the uterus. Turgid to flaccid to the touch depending on stage of estrous cycle.Turgid to flaccid to the touch depending on stage of estrous cycle. No fluid present.No fluid present. Feel both horns.Feel both horns.

30 to 35 Days Only experienced palpators with breeding records.Only experienced palpators with breeding records. Uterus thin-walled with a small amount of fluid. Slight swell.Uterus thin-walled with a small amount of fluid. Slight swell. Embryo ½” longEmbryo ½” long Membrane slip.Membrane slip. MarbleMarble

45 Days ImplantedImplanted Uterus thin walledUterus thin walled Embryo 1” longEmbryo 1” long Vesicular membrane filled with fluid.Vesicular membrane filled with fluid. Gently pinch walls of uterus and feel membranes slip through the fingers.Gently pinch walls of uterus and feel membranes slip through the fingers.

60 Days Uterus enlarged-2 1/2” in diameter.Uterus enlarged-2 1/2” in diameter. Fetus 2 1/2” to 3 1/2” longFetus 2 1/2” to 3 1/2” long Anterior end of pelvis.Anterior end of pelvis.

90 Days Fetus-6 ½” longFetus-6 ½” long Uterus displacedUterus displaced Uterine artery 1/8” to 3/16” diameter with gushing pulse.Uterine artery 1/8” to 3/16” diameter with gushing pulse. Cotyledons-3/4” to 1” diameter.Cotyledons-3/4” to 1” diameter. Femoral artery.Femoral artery.

79 day Placenta with cotyledons on surface.Placenta with cotyledons on surface. Fetus appears as a bulge in a fluid filled sac.Fetus appears as a bulge in a fluid filled sac.

120 days Fetus 10-12” longFetus 10-12” long Cotyledons 1 ½” diameter and firmCotyledons 1 ½” diameter and firm Mid-uterine artery enlarged and gushing.Mid-uterine artery enlarged and gushing.

5-6 month Deep in abdominal cavity.Deep in abdominal cavity. Bounce the fetusBounce the fetus Mid-uterine arteryMid-uterine artery CotyledonsCotyledons Displaced cervixDisplaced cervix