INTRAVAGINAL TEMPERATURE TELEMETRY IN FEMALE MAMMALS

Abstract

The four major management problems in female farm animals are identification, breeding timeliness, health monitoring and notice of parturition (delivery of young). Each of these has been solved with a single temperature-sensitive device placed in the vagina nonsurgically with a nylon anchor. Remote sensing of deep-body (core) temperature in female livestock is a major breakthrough in husbandry of farm animals and important zoo animals. Development of a patented, vaginal radio implant has enabled the remote sensing and automated processing of animal temperature data for females. A natural component of the system is automated identification of each female wearing a transmitter. The methodology of collecting and interpreting deep-body temperature depends upon using each female as her own basis of comparison. A temperature deviation of greater than 0.4* C relative to the average of the previous five day’s temperatures taken at approximately the same time of day indicates a significant physiological event. Ultimately, the optimum configuration of this system will invoke the creation of artificial intelligence or, at least, an expert system.