Computer-implemented method, controller, device, and breast pumping system for pregnancy detection

Abstract

A computer-implemented method (500), a controller (110), an apparatus (101), and a milking system (100) are disclosed. The computer-implemented method (500) includes receiving (501) a time of insemination of an animal (105), obtaining (503) a measurement (M) of a progesterone level in an analyte of the animal (105), wherein the measurement (M) is taken within about 11 days of the time of insemination, and determining (504) that the animal (105) is not pregnant if the progesterone level in the obtained (503) measurement (M) is below a progesterone threshold (TL).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a computer-implemented method, controller, device, and milking system. More particularly, a computer-implemented method, controller, device, and milking system for detecting pregnancy / non-pregnant in inseminated animals are described. [Background technology]

[0002] Animals normally produce milk only after / while they have calves, so it is important on dairy farms to continuously inseminate and fertilize animals in the herd, thereby boosting milk production.

[0003] In beef cattle, milk is consumed by the calves. Nevertheless, it is important to continually inseminate the animals to develop the calf herd.

[0004] Insemination occurs when the animal is in estrus. In some jurisdictions, it is permitted and common practice to induce estrus in animals at any time by providing hormones according to an estrus synchronization program. This allows for synchronization of estrus among multiple animals in a group, making insemination rational, as all animals in the group can be inseminated (artificially) at the same time.

[0005] Since successful insemination and calving are prerequisites for continued milk production, if an animal is not successfully inseminated, milk production is affected, and in the case of beef cattle, meat production is affected accordingly.

[0006] This makes it desirable to detect whether insemination was successful as soon as possible after insemination in order to bring the animal back into heat as soon as possible if it does not become pregnant, so that repeat insemination of the animal can be performed as soon as possible, minimizing or at least reducing the time until successful pregnancy to confirm milk production.

[0007] On farms where animals are separated into different estrus groups, it is desirable to detect as soon as possible whether an animal is pregnant so that an animal that fails to conceive can be scheduled for repeat insemination in another estrus group as soon as possible.

[0008] Successful insemination can be confirmed, for example, by measuring hormone levels such as progesterone in the animal's milk, blood, or urine, or by ultrasound, although successful pregnancy cannot be confirmed earlier than approximately 21–24 days after breeding.

[0009] The article "The use of milk progesterone assays for reproductive management," IRM 9 by Dr. R.C. Rhodes, III of the University of Rhode Island, published in 2005, describes early pregnancy detection in cows based on the measurement of progesterone levels and emphasizes the importance of early detection of non-pregnant cows and the identification of undiagnosed and untreated subfertile cows to avoid economic losses. The procedure for collecting milk samples from animals is described, and it is stated that the time of sampling is important and that sampling should be performed 21 to 24 days after breeding.

[0010] Another known method of detecting non-pregnancy is to observe the typical / known signs of the animal entering a new period of estrus after about 21 days. Pregnancy can also be determined by rectal palpation, ultrasound, or blood analysis, but not earlier than at least 28 days after insemination.

[0011] It is desirable to shorten the time to confirmed pregnancy / non-pregnancy as much as possible in order to be able to attempt repeat insemination as soon as possible, thereby minimizing or at least reducing milk / meat production losses.

[0012] It is desirable to find ways to improve the assistance provided to farmers in analyzing animals for the early detection of animal pregnancy, thereby enhancing calf reproduction, milk production and / or meat production on farms. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve at least some of the above problems and to enable early detection of pregnancy in animals.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a computer-implemented method. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a time point of insemination of an animal. The computer-implemented method also includes obtaining a measurement of a progesterone level in an analyte of the animal, the measurement being taken within 11 days of the time of insemination. The computer-implemented method further includes determining that the animal is not pregnant if the progesterone level in the obtained measurement is below a progesterone limit value.

[0015] This allows for a rapid assessment of whether an animal is pregnant much earlier than previously known methods by utilizing the difference in progesterone levels in analytes such as milk and / or blood of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, respectively, to obtain measurements of the progesterone levels of the inseminated animal during the first approximately 11 days after insemination. If the animal is deemed not to be pregnant, immediate measures can be taken to re-inseminate the animal. This can shorten the non-pregnant period of the animal, increasing the milk / meat production of the farm and the number of births on the farm.

[0016] Analyte is a general term for a substance or chemical component that is the subject of an analytical procedure. In this particular case, the analyte may refer to animal substances such as, for example, milk, blood, and / or possibly also urine, saliva, feces, or similar substances.

[0017] In one embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, the animal analyte is milk.

[0018] This allows analyte / milk samples from the animal to be extracted during milking and used for progesterone level testing without any effort or pain to the animal.

[0019] In another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, the animal analyte is blood.

[0020] By drawing blood samples from animals, the pregnancy / non-pregnancy of non-milk producing animals, i.e. heifers or beef cows whose milk is provided to calves, can be determined.

[0021] In one embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, the measurements obtained may be made within a time frame of more than 4 days and less than 11 days.

[0022] In another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, the measurements obtained may be made within a time frame of 7 days.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or in the first embodiment thereof, the computer-implemented method includes determining a plurality of progesterone level measurements in an analyte of the animal at a plurality of time points within the time frame. According to the embodiment, a plurality of progesterone level measurements can be obtained. If the progesterone level of each of the plurality of progesterone level measurements obtained within the time frame is lower than the progesterone limit value, the animal can be determined not to be pregnant.

[0024] By taking several measurements of progesterone levels and comparing them to progesterone thresholds, the validity of the pregnancy assessment can be increased.

[0025] In another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, the computer-implemented method comprises, when the animal is determined to be not pregnant, scheduling the animal for hormone treatment according to an estrous synchronization program.

[0026] By bringing the animal back into heat as soon as possible, a new insemination can be performed and the animal's non-pregnant period can be minimized.

[0027] In a fourth embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, the computer-implemented method comprises sorting the animal into a separation zone when the animal is determined to be not pregnant.

[0028] By opening a gate leading to a separation zone, which is triggered when an animal is determined to be non-pregnant, automatic sorting of non-pregnant animals can occur without necessarily requiring the physical presence and / or intervention of a farmer, thereby saving farmer time.

[0029] In yet another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, the computer-implemented method comprises alerting a farmer when the animal is determined to be not pregnant.

[0030] By alerting the farmer to the pregnant status of the animals, the farmer will be aware that any animals are not pregnant and can therefore take steps to re-inseminate the animals.

[0031] In another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, when the analyte is milk, the progesterone limit is about 3-8 ng / ml progesterone in milk.

[0032] In another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, when the analyte is milk, the progesterone limit is 5 ng / ml progesterone in milk.

[0033] In another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, the computer-implemented method comprises determining that the animal is pregnant when the progesterone level in the obtained measurement exceeds a progesterone limit value.

[0034] By identifying that an animal is pregnant at an early stage, special treatment can be provided to the pregnant animal to avoid or reduce the risk of miscarriage, for example by providing nutritious feed, spacious resting areas, etc.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a controller configured to perform the computer-implemented method according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by an apparatus configured to assess progesterone levels in an analyte of an animal. The apparatus comprises a controller according to the second aspect. The apparatus comprises input means configured to receive a time point of insemination of the animal. In addition, the apparatus comprises a progesterone level measuring device configured to measure the progesterone level of an analyte sample from the animal. The apparatus also comprises a sensor configured to detect the result of the progesterone level measurement of the progesterone level measuring device. The apparatus further comprises a memory configured to store a progesterone limit value.

[0037] In a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the third aspect, where the analyte is blood, the apparatus comprises a blood sample extractor configured to extract a blood sample from the animal and provide the extracted blood sample to the progesterone level measuring device.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a milking system comprising an apparatus according to the third aspect, in which the analyte is milk, and a milk sample extractor configured to extract a milk sample from the animal during a milking operation and to provide the extracted milk sample to a progesterone level measuring device.

[0039] By extracting the milk from the animals during regular milking, progesterone levels in the milk can be continuously monitored without any special intervention by the farmer, by performing measurements during milking, for example within about 11 days of insemination.

[0040] In one embodiment of the milking system according to the fourth aspect, the milking system also comprises a database configured to store information of the animals of the herd, the information relating to insemination, pregnancy / non-pregnancy and / or scheduled hormonal treatments associated with the identity criteria of each animal.

[0041] By storing information regarding insemination, pregnancy, synchronization group, etc., relative to the identity criteria of the animals, farmers are assisted in tracking the success of pregnancy-related matters. For example, animals that are having particular difficulty conceiving can be identified and culled.

[0042] In yet another embodiment of the milking system according to the fourth aspect, or in the first embodiment thereof, the milking system comprises an output device configured to alert a farmer if the animal is determined to be not pregnant.

[0043] In another embodiment of the milking system according to the fourth aspect, or any embodiment thereof, the controller of the apparatus according to the third aspect may be configured to perform the computer-implemented methods according to the first and seventh aspects thereof. The milking system may also comprise a sorting gate configured to separate the animal into a separation zone when the animal is determined to be not pregnant.

[0044] By opening a gate leading to a separation zone, which is triggered when an animal is determined to be non-pregnant, automatic sorting of non-pregnant animals can occur without necessarily requiring the physical presence and / or intervention of a farmer, thereby saving farmer time.

[0045] Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description.

[0046] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates an example of a farm milking system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates an example of a farm milking system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2A] 1 shows examples of progesterone levels in the milk of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, as well as measurements taken over a time frame. [Figure 2B] 1 shows examples of progesterone levels in the milk of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, as well as measurements taken over a time frame. [Figure 3] An example of the potential for embryo loss over time as counted from insemination is shown. [Figure 4] 1 shows an example of a milking station and sorting gate according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a farm milking system, according to one embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] The embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as computer-implemented methods, controllers, devices, and milking systems, which may be implemented in the embodiments described below. However, these embodiments may be embodied and embodied in many different forms and may not be limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, examples of these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.

[0049] Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for illustrative purposes only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the embodiments disclosed herein, to which reference is made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0050] FIG. 1A shows a scenario of a dairy farm milking system 100, while FIG. 1B shows an apparatus 101 configured to assess the progesterone level of an analyte, in this case blood, of an animal 105.

[0051] 2A-B show some examples of analyte levels, in this case progesterone levels in milk, from pregnant and non-pregnant animals, respectively.

[0052] It has been observed that progesterone levels during the first approximately 10 days after insemination are critical to successful insemination. If progesterone levels remain below the threshold limit of approximately 5 ng / ml progesterone in milk for more than approximately 5-6 days plus a delay time (e.g., 1 day), there is a relatively high probability that the tested animal has failed and that the animal is not pregnant.

[0053] Embryo loss prediction (risk-free pregnancy (RiskNP)) is a function of progesterone levels since insemination. As shown in the graph in Figure 3, if levels remain below 5 ng / ml progesterone in milk for more than 5-6 days plus a lag time (approximately 1 day), pregnancy is unlikely to be achieved.

[0054] This allows for a prediction already after about 7-11 days whether an animal is pregnant or not. A detected insemination failure can then lead to repeated insemination attempts of the animal, thereby shortening the time to pregnancy and thereby stimulating milk / meat production.

[0055] Before going into the details of the solution, we first consider the structural environment of the solution.

[0056] Milking system 100 comprises an apparatus 101. Apparatus 101 is configured to assess progesterone levels in an analyte of an animal 105. Animal 105 may be included in a dairy herd of dairy animals.

[0057] An "animal" may be any type of domesticated female milk-producing and / or meat-producing animal, such as (a non-exclusive list) cow, goat, sheep, camel, dromedary, buffalo, donkey, reindeer, yak, etc.

[0058] The analyte may be milk, as in the illustrated example, or blood of the animal 105 .

[0059] The apparatus 101 comprises an input means 160 configured to receive the time of insemination of the animal 105. The input means 160 may comprise a mobile handheld device carried by the farmer / veterinarian performing the insemination. However, in other embodiments, the input means 160 may comprise a peripheral device included in the apparatus 101 configured to receive and transmit data to the controller 110. The input means 160 may comprise a mouse, keyboard, graphics tablet, image scanner, barcode reader, microphone, digital camera, webcam or similar means.

[0060] The apparatus 101 comprises a progesterone level measuring device 140 configured to measure the progesterone level of an analyte sample from the animal 105. The progesterone level measuring device 140 may comprise, for example, a flow stick arranged to indicate the presence of a particular level of progesterone in an applied analyte sample.

[0061] If the analyte is milk, the analyte sample may be extracted from the animal 105 by a milk sample extractor 130 included in the milking system 100 and provided to the progesterone level measuring device 140. Thus, in some embodiments, the milk sample may be extracted at the time of regular milking of the animal 105. In other embodiments, the milk sample may be obtained manually by a farmer from the discharged milk of the animal 105.

[0062] Additionally, the apparatus 101 includes a sensor 150 configured to detect the results of the progesterone level measurements of the progesterone level measuring device 140. The sensor 130 may include a camera, video camera, or similar type of visual sensor.

[0063] The device 101 further comprises a memory 120 configured to store a progesterone limit value that can be compared by the controller 110 to the sample progesterone level in the measured analyte.

[0064] Once the animal 105 is inseminated, the controller 110 receives information regarding the time of insemination of the animal 105. This information, in some embodiments, may be provided by a farmer via the input means 160. The controller 110 may then obtain one or more progesterone level measurements in the animal's 105 analytes, the measurements being taken within 11 days of the time of insemination. A comparison may then be made between the measurements and a progesterone limit value, which may be stored in and retrieved from the memory 120. Based on the comparison made, the controller 110 may determine that the animal 105 is not pregnant if the progesterone level in the obtained measurements is lower than the progesterone limit value.

[0065] In some embodiments, the milking system 100 may include a database 180 configured to store information about the animals 105 in the herd, the information relating to insemination, pregnancy / non-pregnancy, and / or scheduled hormone treatments associated with the identity criteria of each animal 105. The milking system 100 may thereby continuously monitor and track the current pregnancy status and scheduled hormone treatments of the animals 105 or synchronization group.

[0066] The milking system may also include an output device 160 configured to alert a farmer if an animal 105 is determined not to be pregnant, so that the farmer may be aware of the failure of the animal 105 to conceive and may take appropriate action, such as, for example, manually sorting the animal 105 into a different synchrony group.

[0067] Estrous synchronization, or estrous synchronization, involves manipulating the estrous cycles of female animals 105 through hormonal treatment so that they can be bred simultaneously. This has various advantages. For example, farmers do not need to constantly monitor and detect estrous signs in animals 105 within a herd, which can be quite labor-intensive, especially on large farms. It also streamlines artificial insemination operations, as farmers can inseminate multiple animals 105 consecutively.

[0068] However, it is usually not desirable to inseminate all animals on a farm at the same time. A farm may have a herd of thousands of animals. Inseminating them all on the same day would result in considerable ergonomic stress and fatigue for the farmer / veterinarian.

[0069] A corresponding problem occurs about nine months later when all successfully inseminated animals give birth at roughly the same time. There may be several animals at the same time that have problems during birth and require manual assistance from the farmer / veterinarian.

[0070] For these reasons, herds are usually divided into different synchronized groups, and although animals within each synchronized group are treated with hormones and inseminated at approximately the same time, different synchronized groups are treated with hormones / inseminated at different times.

[0071] Estrous synchronization aims to bring animals into estrus within a specific time frame. This time frame can vary in length between different programs, from approximately 36 hours up to several days. This is achieved by using one or more hormones according to the estrous synchronization program. For example, hormones such as progesterone, progestin, prostaglandin, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) can be injected into the animals 105 in different synchronization programs.

[0072] One example of an estrus synchronization program (among many) is the Select Synch method. When using Select Synch, GnRH is provided to animals in the same synchronization group on day 0. On day 7, prostaglandin is provided to the animals in that synchronization group, after which the animals can be inseminated one or more days later.

[0073] 1B illustrates a scenario in which the analyte is blood. An analyte sample may be extracted from the animal 105 by a blood sample extractor 131 and provided to a progesterone level measuring device 140. At a first time t1, the blood sample extractor 131 may extract blood from the animal 105 and provide the extracted blood sample to the progesterone level measuring device 140 at a second time t2.

[0074] This can occur automatically in some embodiments, for example at a feeding station, as the animals 105 pass through a path to a feeding area or other location that they regularly visit, thereby saving farmer time. Alternatively, the farmer can manually draw blood samples from the animals 105.

[0075] Other elements of the apparatus 101 may be similar to those already presented in FIG. 1A, such as the controller 110, the input means 160, the progesterone level measuring device 140, the sensor 150, and / or the memory 120.

[0076] Returning to Figure 2A, the progesterone levels of two inseminated animals are shown for the first approximately 30 days after insemination: one animal was pregnant (solid line) and one animal was not pregnant (dashed line).

[0077] It should be noted that within the TW timeframe, there is a difference between progesterone levels in the milk of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, occurring approximately 1–11 days after insemination. The TW timeframe may vary somewhat depending on the animal species, animal breed, and farm. Within this TW timeframe, progesterone levels in the milk of non-pregnant animals are significantly lower than those in the milk of pregnant animals. This is thought to be because the embryo requires or utilizes progesterone for successful development. Alternatively, the reverse is also possible: non-development or loss of the embryo causes a decline in progesterone levels.

[0078] This solution utilizes observed differences in progesterone levels to provide early detection of non-pregnancy. When an inseminated animal 105 is investigated for pregnancy, a measurement M can be taken, in some embodiments, within a time frame T, of progesterone levels in the milk of the animal 105. In the illustrated embodiment, measurement M is taken approximately 7 days after insemination.

[0079] The measured value M may be compared to a threshold value TL. The threshold value TL may be approximately 1-15 ng / ml of progesterone in milk. The threshold value TL may be set differently for different types of animals, different breeds of animals, between different farms, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the threshold value TL is set at 5 ng / ml of progesterone in milk.

[0080] When the analyte is blood, the progesterone limit TL may be set lower than in milk, e.g., about 10% lower. Thus, in a non-limiting example, the progesterone limit TL may be set at approximately, e.g., 2.7-7.2 ng / ml progesterone in blood, e.g., 4.5 ng / ml progesterone in blood.

[0081] If the measurement M exceeds the limit value TL, the animal 105 may be considered pregnant; otherwise, the animal 105 may be considered not pregnant.

[0082] FIG. 2B shows a similar scenario to that shown in FIG. 2A, but where multiple measurements M1, M2 are taken at different times within the time window TW.

[0083] The progesterone levels of the measurements M1, M2 are compared to a limit TL, and if all measurements M1, M2 are below the limit TL, the animal 105 is considered not pregnant; otherwise, the animal 105 may be considered pregnant.

[0084] If the animal 105 is not deemed pregnant, the animal 105 may be scheduled for hormonal treatment according to an estrus synchronization program, which may result in early and repeated insemination, thereby promoting calving and milk production on the farm.

[0085] Figure 3 shows the potential for embryo loss.

[0086] Prediction of embryo loss (risk-free pregnancy (RiskNP)) is a function of progesterone levels since insemination. If levels remain below a threshold TL, such as 5 ng / ml progesterone in milk, for more than 5-6 days plus a lag time (approximately 1 day), pregnancy is unlikely to be achieved.

[0087] formula: If ProgRaw is below LThresHR DFAI RiskNP =SamplingTime-InseminationDate RiskNP=Exp(-exp(-Rate*(DFAI RiskNP -flex))) where: Rate=1.1 Flex=6

[0088] 4 shows an overview of a milking parlor 400 as viewed from above. An animal 105 enters the milking parlor 400 via an entrance 410 and may be milked, for example, by a milking robot or other milking unit. While the animal 105 is being milked in the milking parlor 400, the progesterone level of the extracted milk may be measured and compared with a limit value TL.

[0089] If the measurements indicate that the animal 105 is pregnant, the animal 105 is allowed to exit the milking parlor 400 via the first exit 420a and either into the resting section of the barn or outside the barn where the animal 105 may roam the harmonious pastures grazing on grass.

[0090] If the measurements indicate that the animal 105 is not pregnant, the first exit 420a may remain closed and the second exit 420b may open, directing the non-pregnant animal 105 into a separation zone 430 where the animal may join other animals in the synchronization group for hormonal treatment and subsequent repeated insemination according to the estrus synchronization program.

[0091] This allows animals with progesterone levels below the limit TL to be automatically selected and automatically rescheduled for insemination at the earliest possible date without the need for any manual selection or inspection by the farmer, which saves the farmer time which can instead be used for other purposes on the farm.

[0092] 5 illustrates an example of a computer-implemented method 500 in the controller 110 of the device 101 configured to assess progesterone levels in an analyte of the animal 105. The purpose of the computer-implemented method 500 is to assess whether the animal 105 is pregnant by measuring the progesterone levels in an analyte of the animal 105. The analyte may be the milk or blood of the animal 105 in different embodiments.

[0093] This method allows for early detection of failed insemination of an animal 105 by placing the animal 105 in a synchronized group, and for the animal 105 to be scheduled for a new insemination as soon as possible.

[0094] To be able to assess pregnancy in animal 105, computer-implemented method 500 may include several steps 501-508. However, some of the described method steps 501-508, such as steps 502 and / or 505-508, may only be performed in some embodiments. The described steps 501-508 may be performed in a somewhat different chronological order than the numbering suggests. Method 500 may include the following steps:

[0095] Step 501 includes receiving a time of insemination for an animal 105 .

[0096] In some embodiments, the time of insemination may be entered after insemination by the farmer / veterinarian. Alternatively, the insemination of the animal 105 may be detected by a sensor, which may trigger a time determination, and that information may be provided to the controller 110.

[0097] Step 502, which may only be performed in some embodiments, involves determining to repeat multiple progesterone level measurements M1, M2 in analytes of the animal 105 at multiple time points within a time window TW.

[0098] The time window TW may be, for example, 4 to 11 days, such as 5 to 8 or 7 days from insemination.

[0099] Step 503 also includes obtaining a measurement M of the progesterone level in an analyte of the animal 105, the measurement M being taken within about 11 days from the time of insemination.

[0100] In some embodiments, multiple progesterone level measurements M1, M2 may be obtained 503.

[0101] The obtained 503 measurements M may be taken within a time window T W of greater than 4 days and less than 11 days, for example, greater than 5 days and less than 9 days, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the obtained 503 measurements M may be taken within a time window T W of 7 days.

[0102] Step 504 also includes determining that the animal 105 is not pregnant if the progesterone level in the obtained 503 measurement M is below the progesterone threshold TL.

[0103] The progesterone threshold TL may be about 3-8 ng / ml progesterone in milk, for example about 5 ng / ml progesterone in milk.

[0104] In another non-limiting example where the analyte is blood, the progesterone threshold TL can be about 2.7-7.2 ng / ml progesterone in the blood, such as about 4.5 ng / ml progesterone in the blood.

[0105] If the progesterone level of each of the plurality of progesterone level measurements M1, M2 obtained 503 within the time frame TW is below the progesterone limit TL, the animal 105 may be determined 504 to be not pregnant.

[0106] By being able to determine early failure of insemination of an animal 105, appropriate measures can be taken for repeat insemination of the animal 105.

[0107] Step 505, which may only be performed in some embodiments, includes scheduling the animal 105 for hormone treatment according to an estrous synchronization program when the animal 105 is determined 504 to be not pregnant.

[0108] Thus, animal 105 may be hormone treated sooner than any other synchronized group on the farm and then join another synchronized group of animals to be inseminated.

[0109] Step 506, which may only be performed in some embodiments, involves sorting the animal 105 into a separation zone 430 when the animal 105 is determined 504 to be not pregnant.

[0110] In some embodiments, sorting of the animal 105 may occur by opening a sorting gate 420b operated by the controller 110. The opening of the sorting gate 420b may be triggered when the animal 105 is determined 504 to be not pregnant.

[0111] Step 507, which may only be performed in some embodiments, involves alerting a farmer when the animal 105 is determined 504 to be not pregnant.

[0112] The alert may be via a message sent to the farmer's output unit 160. The output unit 160 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a fixed or portable computing device, a computer tablet, a display, intelligent eyeglasses, smart contact lenses, an augmented reality device, a smart watch, or similar device with a user interface and wireless communication capabilities, or a similar device.

[0113] This allows the farmer to be aware of the pregnancy status of the animal 105 and initiate appropriate measures depending on the resulting pregnancy status.

[0114] Step 508, which may only be performed in some embodiments, involves determining that the animal 105 is pregnant if the progesterone level of the obtained 503 measurement M exceeds the progesterone threshold TL.

[0115] This allows successful insemination to be confirmed at an early stage.

[0116] When an animal 105 is known to be pregnant, the animal 105 may be scheduled for special treatment and food / nutrition to promote embryo development and growth. Parturition may also be predicted, for example, a veterinarian may be pre-booked for that day. Pregnant animals 105, in some embodiments, are culled to a specific, quiet part of the barn, thereby promoting harmonious development of the embryo and protecting the animal 105 from distress caused by other animals and / or overcrowding.

[0117] Figure 6 shows a milking system 100, as shown in Figure 1. The milking system 100 comprises an apparatus 101 configured to assess progesterone levels in an analyte, such as milk or blood, of an animal 105 in different embodiments. The apparatus 101 comprises a controller 110 configured to execute a computer-implemented method 500 according to any one of method steps 501-508, as shown in Figure 5 and discussed in the corresponding section herein.

[0118] Thus, the controller 110 is configured to receive a time point of insemination of the animal 105. The controller 110 is also configured to obtain a measurement M of a progesterone level in an analyte of the animal 105, the measurement M being taken within 11 days of the time of insemination. The controller 110 is additionally configured to determine that the animal 105 is not pregnant if the progesterone level in the obtained measurement M is lower than the progesterone limit value TL.

[0119] In some embodiments, the controller 110 may be configured to determine to repeat multiple progesterone level measurements M1, M2 in the analyte of the animal 105 at multiple time points within the time frame TW.

[0120] In some embodiments, the controller 110 may be configured to obtain multiple progesterone level measurements M1, M2 and to determine that the animal 105 is not pregnant if the progesterone level of each of the multiple progesterone level measurements M1, M2 obtained within the time period T is lower than the progesterone limit T L.

[0121] Additionally, the controller 110 may be configured to schedule the animal 105 for hormone treatment according to an estrous synchronization program when the animal 105 is determined not to be pregnant.

[0122] The controller 110 may additionally be configured to sort the animal 105 into a separation zone 430 when the animal 105 is determined to be not pregnant.

[0123] Additionally, the controller 110 may be configured to alert a farmer if the animal 105 is determined to not be pregnant.

[0124] Additionally, the controller 110 may, in some embodiments, be configured to determine that the animal 105 is pregnant if the progesterone level of the obtained measurement exceeds a progesterone threshold value TL.

[0125] The apparatus 101 also comprises an input means 160 configured to receive the time of insemination of the animal 105, such as a farmer's handheld communication device or similar device.

[0126] The apparatus 101 also includes a progesterone level measuring device 140 configured to measure the progesterone level of an analyte sample from the animal 105 .

[0127] In addition, the apparatus 101 comprises a sensor 150 configured to detect the result of the progesterone level measurement M of the progesterone level measuring device 140 .

[0128] The device 101 also includes a memory 120 configured to store a progesterone limit value TL, which may be set at, for example, about 3-8 ng / ml of progesterone per milk, such as, for example, about 5 ng / ml of progesterone per milk, when the analyte is milk.

[0129] The apparatus 101 may also, in some embodiments, include a blood sample extractor 131 configured to extract a blood sample from the animal 105 and provide the extracted blood sample to the progesterone level measuring device 140 when the analyte is blood.

[0130] The milking system 100 also comprises a milk sample extractor 130 configured to extract a milk sample from the animal 105 during a milking operation and to provide the extracted milk sample to the progesterone level measuring device 140 .

[0131] In some embodiments, the milking system 100 may include a database 180 configured to store information about the animals 105 in the herd, the information relating to insemination, pregnancy / non-pregnancy, and / or scheduled hormone treatments associated with the identity criteria of each animal 105.

[0132] The milking system 100 may also include an output device 160 configured to alert a farmer if the animal 105 is determined to be not pregnant.

[0133] Controller 110 of apparatus 101 that may be included in milking system 100 may be configured to sort animal 105 into separation zone 430 when animal 105 is determined to be not pregnant. Milking system 100 may include sorting gate 420b that is configured to separate animal 105 into separation zone 430 when animal 105 is determined to be not pregnant.

[0134] The controller 110 comprises a receiver 610 configured to receive information from the database 120, and / or the sensor 150, and / or the transceiver.

[0135] The controller 110 also includes processing circuitry 620 configured to perform various calculations for executing the computer-implemented method 500, as shown in FIG.

[0136] Such processing circuitry 620 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, i.e., a central processing unit (CPU), processing unit, processing circuit, processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microprocessor, or other processing logic capable of interpreting and executing instructions. Thus, the expression "processor" as used herein may refer to a processing circuitry that comprises multiple processing circuits, such as, for example, any, some, or all of those listed above.

[0137] Additionally, controller 110 may, in some embodiments, comprise memory 625. Optional memory 625 may comprise a physical device utilized to temporarily or permanently store data or programs, i.e., sequences of instructions. According to some embodiments, memory 625 may comprise an integrated circuit comprising silicon-based transistors. In different embodiments, memory 625 may comprise, for example, a memory card, flash memory, USB memory, a hard disk, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data, such as, for example, a ROM (read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), an EPROM (erasable PROM), an EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), etc.

[0138] Additionally, the controller 110 may include a signal transmitter 630. The signal transmitter 630 may be configured to transmit signals to the farmer's output unit 160 and / or to the databases 120, 180 via a wired or wireless communication interface, possibly via a transceiver.

[0139] Additionally, the computer program includes instructions for executing a computer-implemented method 500 for determining whether the animal 105 is not pregnant or has successfully conceived.

[0140] The above computer program may be provided, for example, in the form of a computer-readable medium, i.e., a data carrier carrying computer program code for executing at least some of the computer program steps according to some embodiments when loaded into one or more processing circuits 620 of the controller 110. The data carrier may be, for example, a hard disk, a CD-ROM disk, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any other suitable medium, such as a disk or tape, capable of non-transitory retaining machine-readable data. The computer program may also be provided as computer program code on a server and downloaded to the controller 110 remotely, for example, via an Internet or intranet connection.

[0141] The embodiments shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5 and / or 6, or portions thereof, may be advantageously combined with one another to achieve further benefits.

[0142] The terminology used in describing the embodiments, as shown in the accompanying drawings, is not intended to limit the described computer-implemented method 500, controller 110, apparatus 101 and / or milking system 100. Various changes, substitutions, and / or alterations may be made without departing from the embodiments of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0143] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the term "or" should be interpreted as a mathematical OR, i.e., an inclusive disjunction, and not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" should be interpreted as "at least one," and thus, where appropriate, include multiple entities of the same type unless otherwise specified. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, operations, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. For example, a single unit, such as a processor, may perform the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures or features are recited in mutually different dependent claims, shown in different figures or discussed in conjunction with different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures or features cannot be used to advantage.A computer program can be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless communication systems.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method (500) comprising: receiving (501) a time point of insemination of an animal (105); obtaining (503) a measurement (M) of progesterone levels in an analyte of said animal (105), said measurement (M) being taken within a time window (TW) of more than 5 days and less than 9 days from said insemination; determining (502) to repeat a plurality of progesterone level measurements (M1, M2) in an analyte of the animal (105) at a plurality of time points within the time window (TW); The plurality of progesterone level measurements (M1, M2) are obtained (503), and the analyte of the animal is milk, The computer-implemented method (500) determines (504) that the animal (105) is not pregnant if the progesterone level of each of the plurality of progesterone level measurements (M1, M2) obtained (503) within the time window (TW) is lower than a progesterone threshold (TL).

2. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of progesterone level measurements obtained are taken within a seven day time window from the insemination.

3. 3. The computer-implemented method (500) of claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of scheduling (505) the animal (105) for hormone treatment according to an estrous synchronization program when the animal (105) is determined (504) not to be pregnant.

4. 4. The computer-implemented method (500) of claim 1, further comprising the step of sorting (506) the animal (105) into a separation zone (430) when the animal (105) is determined (504) to be not pregnant.

5. The computer-implemented method (500) of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the step of alerting (507) a farmer when the animal (105) is determined (504) to be not pregnant.

6. The computer-implemented method (500) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the progesterone threshold TL is between 3 and 8 ng / ml.

7. The computer-implemented method (500) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the progesterone threshold TL is 5 ng / ml.

8. 8. The computer-implemented method (500) of any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising determining (508) that the animal (105) is pregnant if the progesterone level of the obtained (503) measurement (M) exceeds the progesterone threshold (TL).

9. A controller (110), A controller (110) configured to perform the computer-implemented method (500) of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. 1. An apparatus (101) configured to assess progesterone levels in an analyte of an animal (105), wherein the analyte of said animal is milk, said apparatus (101) comprising: A controller (110) according to claim 9; an input means (160) configured to receive the time of insemination of said animal (105); a progesterone level measuring device (140) configured to measure the progesterone level of an analyte sample from said animal (105); a sensor (150) configured to detect the result of the progesterone level measurement (M) of said progesterone level measuring device (140); and a memory (120) configured to store a progesterone threshold (TL).

11. A milking system (100) comprising: An apparatus (101) according to claim 10, a milk sample extractor (130) configured to extract a milk sample from the animal (105) during a milking operation and to provide the extracted milk sample to a progesterone level measuring device (140).

12. 12. The milking system (100) of claim 11, comprising a database (180) configured to store information of herd animals (105), said information relating to insemination, pregnancy / non-pregnancy, and / or scheduled hormone treatments associated with identity criteria of each said animal (105).

13. 13. A milking system (100) according to claim 11 or 12, comprising an output device (160) configured to alert a farmer if the animal (105) is determined not to be pregnant.

14. The controller (110) of the apparatus (101) is configured to execute the computer-implemented method (500) of claim 1 or 4, and the milking system (100) comprises:

14. The milking system (100) of any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising a sorting gate (420b) configured to separate the animal (105) into a separation zone (430) when the animal (105) is determined to be not pregnant.

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