CIS to launch milk pregnancy testing service

The Cattle Information Service (CIS) is making available a new tool for producers in the management of the reproduction cycle. Using IDEXX technology, CIS will offer a milk pregnancy confirmation test to aid producers in improving and managing successful reproductive programs.

The new service, called PregChech, will be launched on May 31st Gold Cup Open Day near Evesham. PregChech is the latest development in milk analysis, revealing another piece of information hidden in milk samples. Using routine milk recording samples, producers can confirm and monitor the pregnancy status of individual animals in the herd.

The new PregChech test is based on ELISA technology, a rapid and trusted diagnostic method. The test detects the presence of Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) in the milk sample. These proteins are released by the placenta during pregnancy and are specific to pregnancy, unlike some other chemical indicators of pregnancy such as progesterone.

PAGs can be detected in milk from 35 days post-breeding and testing can be implemented anytime after the first 60 days in milk.

Offering a high level of accuracy (98 percent), PregChech is comparable to palpation and ultrasound. The testing service will be most effective in herds with accurate breeding and AI records and those on regular milk recording test intervals.

The test is most accurate after 35 days post breeding and can be conducted along with other milk assays performed on routine milk recording samples, such as BVD, and Johnes.

There are three possible categories for PregChech test results: pregnant, open and recheck. Producers can most quickly access results through CIS ‘YourHerd’ web reports.