PROBE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ESTRUS IN ANIMALS

• US 3,844,276 A
• Filed: 07/19/1973
• Issued: 10/29/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Edgar Mcdougall
• Original Assignee: John Edgar Mcdougall
• Inventors: McDougall, John Edgar
• Primary Examiner(s): Medbery, Aldrich F.
• Application Number:
  US05/380,895
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.1E,2.1Z,2.1R,2R,2H,DIG.4,407 324/62,71
• US Class Current: 600/373
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0012 Ovulation-period determination for animals A61D17/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0016 based on measurement of electric currents, e.g. conductivity tests
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 17/002 for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus for humans A61B10/0012

Abstract

For detecting estrus in animals, particularly cattle and horses, a smooth cylindrical probe that fits snugly into the vagina is advanced into contact with the cervix, and is then withdrawn slightly so that a first electrode, at the inner end of the probe, is out of contact with animal tissue, and the resistance of mucus at the inner end of the probe is measured between said first electrode and another cylindrical electrode in contact with the vaginal wall.

Claims

1. A probe for detecting estrus, comprising a smooth cylindrical rod insertable into the vagina of an animal and sufficiently conductors to touch the cervix with one end of the rod, said one end having a concavity bounded by a rim, a first electrode in said cavity and exposed at said one end providing a means that is in contact with cervical mucus but being located withiN the concavity and spaced rearwardly of the rim so as to be out of contact with tissue of the animal when the rod is slightly withdrawn to a position away from the cervix, a second elongated electrode along the outside surface of the rod spaced from said one end and held by the rod snugly against the vaginal wall and electrically insulated from the first electrode, and an electrical connection for each of said electrodes at the other end of the rod adapted to be connected to a resistance measuring means.

2. A probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the rod approximately equals the distance from the cervix to the vulva and the rod is of circular cross section and of a diameter that fits snugly in the vagina.

3. A probe as claimed in claim 2 for detecting estrus in cattle and horses, wherein the rod is approximately 11 1/4 inches long and approximately 1 1/8 inches in diameter.

4. A probe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second electrode comprises a tubular conductive sheath extending at least about 8 inches along the length of the rod.

5. A probe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second electrode, except for being spaced from said one end, constitutes a tubular conductive sheath extending substantially the entire length of the rod.

6. A probe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rod comprises a solid body of molded plastic in which said electrical connections are embedded.

7. A probe as claimed in claim 2 in combination with an ohmmeter connected to said connections.

8. A method of detecting estrus, comprising inserting into the vagina of an animal a smooth probe having one electrode in a cavity on its distal end and that fits snugly in the vagina, advancing the probe until its distal end touches the cervix, withdrawing the probe slightly away from the cervix to ensure that said probe electrode is out of contact with tissue of the animal but in contact with cervical mucus, and measuring the electrical resistance of mucus between said electrode and a second surface mounted probe electrode spaced from said one electrode.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said measurement is made with said second electrode in contact with the vaginal wall.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein mucus is collected in said concavity of distal inner end as it is advanced along the vagina.