Pregnancy diagnosis in cows and heifers by determination of oestradiol-17α in faeces

Abstract The concentration of unconjugated oestradiol-17α was measured in faeces of 21 non-pregnant animals and of 39 cows and heifers between the 10th and 25th week of gestation. After the 14th week of gestation all pregnant animals secreted significantly more oestradiol-17α in the faeces than non-pregnant animals. This is a possible method therefore for the confirmation of pregnancy not only in cows but also in heifers.