Hyderabad: Lacones has been granted a US patent for its invention titled ‘Non-Invasive and Early Pregnancy Detection Kit for Cattle and Buffaloes’, a device designed to help farmers detect pregnancy in cattle and buffaloes at an early stage without veterinary aid.Need for earlier detection The development is particularly significant in India, which has the world’s largest cattle and buffalo population, with millions of rural farmers relying on dairy for their livelihood. The low-cost, non-invasive device is expected to improve reproductive efficiency by reducing inter-calving intervals, cut feeding costs for non-pregnant animals, and support dairy productivity at the grassroots level.Scientist Govindswamy Umapathy of Lacones said traditional pregnancy detection in cattle and buffaloes relies on palpation of the uterus, ultrasonography, and measurement of hormones in blood or milk. These methods are typically effective only three to four months after conception. Early detection is critical for farmers as it helps shorten the inter-calving period, reduce economic losses, and enable timely planning for artificial insemination.Biomarker identifiedTo address this need, a novel biomarker for pregnancy detection was identified in dung samples of cattle, buffaloes, and other animals. Based on this non-invasive marker, a lateral flow device was developed, for which the US patent has now been granted. The method allows reliable pregnancy detection as early as six to eight weeks after conception. The device is positioned as a tool for use at the farm level, reducing dependence on veterinary intervention for early-stage pregnancy detection. By helping identify non-pregnant animals sooner, it can support better breeding decisions, reduce avoidable feeding expenditure, and improve herd management. For rural farmers dependent on dairy income, the kit could make reproductive planning more efficient and productive.
