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.

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.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an intrauterine device (IUD) comprising an oval shape, wherein the device comprises a core of magnetic material, an inert material or copper coating the core, wherein the coating comprises a pharmaceutical agent, copper or a combination thereof. Another embodiment provides a method to suppress estrus in a subject comprising inserting an intrauterine device (IUD) comprising an oval shape, wherein the device comprises a core of magnetic material and an inert material or copper coating the core.

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 method for obtaining information about a farm animal, wherein a device (a) is attached to the head region of an animal, said device containing at least one acceleration sensor by means of which recurring acceleration data is measured, wherein the acceleration data is evaluated using automatic data processing means, and, as an outcome of the evaluation, is indicative of the activities and/or conditions of the animal. The acquired acceleration data is evaluated in order to detect the swallowing processes carried out by the animal.

A bovine monitoring system may include a rumination sensor, a motion sensor, a posture sensor. The rumination sensor may detect chewing by sensing jaw motion. The motion sensor may detect motion. The posture sensor may detect orientation of the bovine asset through detection of gravitational acceleration, detection of gyroscopic rotation, or a combination of gravitational acceleration and gyroscopic rotation. Using the recorded rumination, motion, and posture sensors, the bovine asset monitoring system may identify aberrations in the estrous cycle or physical or mental health of the bovine assets. A bovine monitoring system may include a thermal scanning device to detect localized heating of the vulva area of the bovine asset, which may be used to identify aberrations in the estrous cycle or physical or mental health of the bovine assets.

Broodmare imminence of ovulation and reproductive competence may be determined by collecting blood, serum or plasma samples from a mare over two or more days in such mare's estrous cycle; obtaining a set of concentration measurements of one or more peptide hormones of the TGF-β superfamily in such samples over such two or more days; detecting an onset of a change in the relative magnitude or slope of successive concentration measurements of such one or more peptide hormones during such cycle; and coordinating live cover or artificial insemination of such mare to occur no later than three days after such onset. The disclosed method may be performed using an associated system that measures, processes and stores the measurements. The system may detect and optionally provide notification of the onset of such change.

Provided is a technology that allows estrus of a sow to be accurately determined without relying on experience or in intuition of an observer. An estrus determination device for a sow includes a measurement unit that measures, per unit time, a frequency of standing up and lying down of a sow raised in a stall and a determination unit that determines estrus of the sow on the basis of a plurality of frequencies repetitively measured by the measurement unit over a set given period.