Summary
This
study was conducted using B-mode transrectal (TR) and transabdominal
(TA) ultrasonography to determine early pregnancy and fetometry.
A total of 110 does aged between 8 and 36 months were used. The
detection of early pregnancy and foetal number was measured. The
relationship between gestation age and crown-rump length (CRL) and
bi-parietal diameter (BPD) was determined from days 40 to 109 of
gestation. The accuracy of foetal sexing was determined by differentiation
of genital tubercle (GT) from days 40 to 109 of gestation and then
followed up after birth. The examination revealed 95.5% of does
were pregnant, with 100% accuracy in detecting pregnancy for positive
cases. The foetal number was 45.7% and 54.3% for single and twins/triplets.
The TR probe enabled more reliable and early recognition of foetal
fluid (5 days) and heart beats (4 days) than the TA probe. The TR
observation of heart beats is recommended as conclusive evidence
of the presence of a live foetus. The TA convex probe was used from
days 40-89 to measure CRL and from days 40-109 to measure BPD. The
relation between gestational age and CRL or BPD were highly significant
(p<0.0001). The accuracy of sex identification among the
three groups was not significantly (p>0.05) higher in single,
compared to multiple pregnancies. In total, 83.3% and 70.2% of single
and twins and triplets were sexed. After birth, one case was misdiagnosed
by ultrasound, i.e. 83.3% (single) and 68.4% (twins and triplets)
were sexed. However, identification of GT in male foetuses was possible
from day 40 onwards. From a total 105 scanned does, 80 (76.2%) were
sexed and 75.2% of cases were sexed after birth. B-mode real-time
ultrasonography is recommended as a reliable means that can be used
in field conditions to provide early detection of gestation as early
as 19-27 days after mating, for CRL or BPD measuring and foetal
sexing from day 40 of gestation onwards.
Keywords
Baladi,
Birth, Egypt, Genital tubercle, Goat, Pregnancy, Sexing, Ultrasonography.
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