Assessment of Correlation of Pregnancy Parameters And Fetal Age for Ewes

Abstract

This study aimed to determine values of ewe’s fetal developmental parameters and their correlations during pregnancy. The study carried out on eighteen variable parameters of 64 pregnant ewes collected from Duhok slaughterhouse. The average correlation of genital tract weight, crown to rump, head, thoracic, pelvic, orbital diameters, forelimbs, humerus, hind limb, Tibia, Occipito-nasal and greater length of skull were high (>0.90). The umbilical cord circumferences, interorbital, fetal weight, and hoof length were moderately correlated (>0.80) with other parameters. Potential hydrogen (pH) of embryonic fluid had a negative correlation with other parameters. Fetal age, crown-rump length, thoracic, and fetal head diameters increased every 10 days. Genital tract weight, interorbital, and occipitonasal length increased every 20 to 30 days. However, length of skull was increased only during late pregnancy. The forelimb and hindlimb increased slightly with pregnancy development. Caruncle and umbilical cord diameters were increased during the half term of pregnancy then reduce or remain in the same diameters at the end. Embryonic fluid pH turns to acidity with fetal development. In conclusion, specific parameters are practical to confirm gestational age during specific gestational period when the date of breeding is unknown.