Veterinarians and producers are using the ultrasound to gain valuable information regarding dairy cattle reproductive health.

What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound technology involves using high frequency sound waves to produce images of internal organs of the body. Ultrasound is commonly used in human and veterinary medicine to examine the structure and movement of internal organs and diagnose disease. Ultrasound technology is also commonly used to assess reproductive health and diagnose pregnancy.

How does the ultrasound work?

• An ultrasound crystal in the transducer (probe) head sends out high frequency sound waves

• The sound waves are reflected by body tissues (organs) and absorbed by fluid

• The ultrasound scanner uses the reflected sound waves to create an image

How do the sound waves create an image?

• Various body tissues conduct sound differently

• The density of the tissue dictates the speed at which the echoes return

• When reading (interpreting) an ultrasound image, it is important to remember that:

• soft tissue is gray
• denser tissues will appear brighter
• bone will be the brightest white part of the image
• fluid is always black

What is the ultrasound used for on dairies?

• Early pregnancy diagnosis

• Evaluation of ovarian structures (CL, follicles)

• Identification of disease in ovaries and uterus (cysts, subclinical metritis)

• Twin diagnosis

• Determination of fetal sex

What ultrasound equipment is best suited for dairy reproduction?
Ultrasound technology has improved in durability, size and portability making it practical and efficient to use on a dairy. It is now easier to bring the ultrasound scanner to the cows instead of bringing the cow to the machine. Ultrasound equipment best suited for dairy reproduction is:

• Portable ultrasound that is lightweight and easy to carry

• Battery-powered

• High resolution for clear, detailed picture

• Real-time imaging for diagnosing viable pregnancy (fetal heart beat)

• Some machines come standard with monitor glasses (headsets) so you can use the scanner in bright sunlight.  EL

Noa Roman-Muniz, DVM, MS,
Integrated Livestock Management, Colorado State University
Noa can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it