Calving outcomes for cows diagnosed pregnant or nonpregnant by per rectum examination at various intervals after insemination

Early pregnancy diagnosis could be associated with decreased diagnostic accuracy or increased fetal loss, which might lead to increased culling. We determined the relationship between pregnancy diagnosis at various intervals after artificial insemination and subsequent calving for cows from five dairy herds in California. Palpations were done by either of two experienced veterinarians. Cows diagnosed pregnant at a first pregnancy examination 41 days or less after insemination were significantly less likely to subsequently have a calf than were cows diagnosed later.