The accuracy of rectal diagnosis of corpora lutea in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The accuracy of rectal diagnosis of corpora lutea (CL) was determined by direct inspection of the ovaries by laparoscopy in 68 suckled water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Thirty-eight (81%) of the 47 CL diagnosed by rectal palpation were confirmed at laparoscopy. Errors in rectal diagnosis of CL were due to failure to palpate early CL (8.5%) and to follicles (> 10 mm in diameter) raised above the ovarian surface (10.6%) being diagnosed as CL. Twenty-six (89.7%) of the 29 diagnoses of luteal tissue by the progesterone assay were confirmed. Errors were due to the presence of CL with low progesterone (10.3%). The overall accuracy of diagnosing a follicle or a CL by rectal palpation and plasma progesterone assay was 81 and 86% respectively. The study indicated that rectal palpation is as reliable as the progesterone assay for the diagnosis of CL in the buffalo.