Method and electrical resistance probe for detection of estrus in bovine

• US 4,224,949 A
• Filed: 11/17/1977
• Issued: 09/30/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Incorporated (Cornell University)
• Original Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Incorporated (Cornell University)
• Inventors: Scott, Norman R., Marshall, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US05/852,269
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.1 Z, 128/2 H, 128/2 R, 128/738, 128/734, 128/642
• 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

This invention is drawn to a bovine vaginal probe capable of measuring electrical resistance in a bovine vaginal tract with sufficient accuracy to allow detection of changes in electrical resistance indicative of estrus.

The electrodes of the probe are generally axially aligned on the surface of a generally cylindrical support. In the essentially axially parallel electrode configuration, in order to obtain the desired sensitivity where one set of electrodes are employed, the electrodes should be separated from each other by at least 45° and preferably at least about 90°. One preferred essentially axially parallel configuration employs two sets of electrodes, each separated by approximately 90° so that two sets of resistance figures, ventral and dorsal can be obtained.

Claims

1. A bovine vaginal probe for detecting estrus which comprises:

(a) a relatively non-conductive support means, having a generally cylindrical shape, adapted for insertion into a bovine vaginal tract and contact with the vaginal mucus therein;

(b) having secured to the surface thereof at least one pair of substantially parallel electrodes aligned parallel to or at an angle of less than 45°

from the longitudinal axis of said support means, said electrodes being separated from each other by at least 45°

;

(c) said electrodes being electrically connectable to an AC ohm-meter adapted to determine the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus between said electrodes.

2. The probe of claim 1 electrically connected to said AC ohm-meter.

3. The probe of claim 1 where the electrodes are substantially axially parallel.

4. The probe of claim 3 comprising two sets of electrodes each electrode spaced apart by about 90°

.

5. The probe of claim 3 wherein each electrode is between about 1/16 inch and about 1/2 inch wide and between about 1 inch to about 4 inches long.

6. A method of detecting estrus in a bovine which comprises periodically determining the electrical resistance of the bovine vaginal mucus using a bovine vaginal probe which comprises:

(a) a relatively non-conductive support means, having a generally cylindrical shape, adapted for insertion into a bovine vaginal tract and contact with the vaginal mucus therein;

(b) having secured to the surface thereof at least one pair of substantially parallel electrodes aligned parallel to or at an angle of less than 45°

from the longitudinal axis of said support means, said electrodes being separated from each other by at least 45°

;

(c) said electrodes being electrically connected to an AC ohm-meter adapted to determine the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus between said electrodes, and detecting a change in electrical resistance indicative of estrus.

7. A bovine vaginal probe for detecting estrus which comprises:

(a) a relatively non-conductive support means, having a generally cylindrical shape, adapted for insertion into a bovine vaginal tract and contact with the vaginal mucus therein;

(b) having secured to the surface thereof two sets of substantially parallel electrodes substantially axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said support means, each electrode spaces apart by about 90°

, and each electrode being between about 1/16 inch and about 1/2 inch wide to about 1 inch to about 4 inches long;

(c) said electrodes being electrically connectable to an AC ohm-meter adapted to determine the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus between said electrodes.

8. A method of detecting estrus in a bovine which comprises periodically determining the electrical resistance of the bovine vaginal mucus using a bovine vaginal probe which comprises:

(a) a relatively non-conductive support means, having a generally cylindrical shape, adapted for insertion into a bovine vaginal tract and contact with the vaginal mucus therein;

(b) having secured to the surface thereof at least one pair of substantially parallel electrodes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said support means, said electrodes being separated from each other by at least 45°

;

(c) said electrodes being electrically connected to an AC ohm-meter adapted to determine the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus between said electrodes, and detecting a change in electrical resistance indicative of estrus.

9. A method of detecting estrus in a bovine which comprises periodically determining the electrical resistance of the bovine vaginal mucus using a bovine vaginal probe which comprises:

(a) a relatively non-conductive support means, having a generally cylindrical shape, adapted for insertion into a bovine vaginal tract and contact with the vaginal mucus therein;

(b) having secured to the surface thereof two sets of substantially parallel electrodes substantially axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said support means;

each electrode spaced apart by about 90° and

each electrode being between about 1/16 inch and about 1/2 inch wide, and about 1 to about 4 inches long;

(c) said electrodes being electrically connected to an AC ohm-meter adapted to determine the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus between said electrodes, and detecting a change in electrical resistance indicative of estrus.