A monitoring apparatus (1) for monitoring of a condition state in a quadruped mammal is described, including at least a housing portion (3) comprising a plurality of motion sensors (11) disposed to sense movement in at least two degrees of freedom, a data capture module to capture movement data generated by the motion sensors, wireless transmitter module (17) to transmit captured data to a remotely located hub (21), and a power source (19) to provide electrical power; and an attachment portion (5) to engage the housing in a fixed orientation onto a surface of the body of an animal to be monitored, for example on the torso or neck. A mounting system including such an apparatus and a method of monitoring of a plurality of quadruped mammals to draw inferences in relation to a condition state using such an apparatus are also described.

An electronic system for non-invasive monitoring of estrogen of a female human comprises a wearable device (1) and a processor (13, 30, 40). The wearable device (1) includes a first sensor system (101) configured to be worn in contact with the skin of the female human and to determine a level of perfusion of the female human. The processor (13, 30, 40) is configured to receive and store the level of perfusion of the female human from the first sensor system (101) for a respective point in time. The processor (13, 30, 40) is further configured to determine a change in the level of perfusion of the female human, using the levels of perfusion of the female human stored for a plurality of respective points in time. Furthermore, the processor (13, 30, 40) is configured to detect a change in estrogen level of the female human based on the change in the level of perfusion of the female human.

An electronic system for non-invasive monitoring of estrogen of a female human comprises a wearable device and a processor. The wearable device includes a first sensor system configured to be worn in contact with the skin of the female human and to determine a level of perfusion of the female human. The processor is configured to receive and store the level of perfusion of the female human from the first sensor system for a respective point in time. The processor is further configured to determine a change in the level of perfusion of the female human, using the levels of perfusion of the female human stored for a plurality of respective points in time. Furthermore, the processor is configured to detect a change in estrogen level of the female human based on the change in the level of perfusion of the female human.

This invention relates to a method of providing an indication of the oncoming parturition in livestock and an apparatus for carrying out the method. A tail mounted sensor is mounted on the tail of an animal such as a cow or a horse and the tail mounted sensor detects whether the tail is raised or lowered. Each time that the tail is raised by at least a fixed angle Θ of, say 10°, for a certain period of time T.sub.1, the sensor records this as a contraction. The sensor then monitors the number of contractions over a given second period of time, T.sub.2. When the number of contractions in the second period of time equal or exceed a certain amount, an alarm is raised. The method and system are such that they can be adjusted for different animals. It is envisaged that less false alarms and less missed births will result as a consequence of this method and apparatus.

An apparatus and methods for detection of estrus and optimal time for embryo transfer or artificial insemination in animals. An arched polycarbonate housing is attached to an animal. A circuit board is disposed within the housing. A rechargeable battery mounted on the circuit board provides power to the apparatus. A switch mounted on the circuit board is actuated when a breeding behavior occurs. A controller mounted on the circuit board detects actuations of the switch to generate data indicative of breeding behavior. A transmitter transmits data indicative of breeding behavior to a remote receiver.

An automated controlled device for livestock management and methods of use thereof. The device includes a housing configured to be inserted into a body cavity. One or more reservoirs are configured to be located within the housing and to store a fluid. One or more pumps are coupled to the one or more reservoirs. The one or more pumps are configured to deliver fluid stored in the one or more reservoirs to an area external to the housing during use. A microcontroller is coupled to the one or more pumps. The microcontroller is configured to operate the one or more pumps to deliver a predetermined volume of the fluid stored in the one or more reservoirs to the area external to the housing at a scheduled time

The invention relates to a system for monitoring the reproductive activity of animals where a male mounts a female in order to mate, this system can determine the following information each time a male mounts a female, namely: whether or not the male has ejaculated, the date and time of ejaculation, and the identification of the female mounted. The system comprises an electronic sensor device placed on male animals, a radio-frequency identification tag placed on female animals, a system for preventing multiple or erroneous readings, and an electronic hand-held device for collecting information and configuring devices. The invention also includes a communication system and a central system that manages and concentrates all of the information, allowing the user to access said information in an organised, centralized and systematic manner.

The invention relates to a system for monitoring the reproductive activity of animals where a male mounts a female in order to mate, this system can determine the following information each time a male mounts a female, namely: whether or not the male has ejaculated, the date and time of ejaculation, and the identification of the female mounted. The system comprises an electronic sensor device placed on male animals, a radio-frequency identification tag placed on female animals, a system for preventing multiple or erroneous readings, and an electronic hand-held device for collecting information and configuring devices. The invention also includes a communication system and a central system that manages and concentrates all of the information, allowing the user to access said information in an organised, centralized and systematic manner.

Disclosed herein is a method for determining a pregnancy state of an animal. The method comprises detecting an amount of one or more biomarkers in a breath sample from the animal, the amount of the or each biomarker being indicative of a pregnancy state of the animal.

Methods are provided for estimation of birthing data (such as birthing date and birthing weight) by consideration of a mother animal's weight over an expected birthing period. The method includes: measuring or providing the weight of the mother animal at intervals over an expected birthing period to provide a series of dated weight records, estimating the underlying weight of the mother animal over the expected birthing period from the series of dated weight records, and identifying a significant weight drop of the mother animal by reference to the estimated underlying weight, wherein the estimated birthing date is on or before the date of the significant weight drop. The methods are particularly useful in animals associated with production, such as cattle.