Determination of Gestational Age in Shami Goats Based on Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Measurements of Placentomes and Uterine Diameter

Rozh Muhammad,Dhafer Aziz

doi:10.37940/ajvs.2021.14.2.5

Abstract

The study was aimed to estimate the gestational age of Shami does by transabdominal ultrasonographic measurement of maternal parameters. Thirty-three Shami does aged 2-2.5 years with confirmed conception dates were used. The does were examined in a standing position using a transabdominal 3.5 MHz convex sector probe of real-time ultrasonography. The does were examined weekly starting from 21 days of pregnancy until parturition. Measurements of the maternal parameters that include; the uterine diameter, placental width, and placental height were obtained from the ultrasonographic images using the software Screen Calipers. Results showed that the gestational sac and embryos were observed early on 21 and 35 days of pregnancy. The litter size of Shami does was 2-3 kids. Uterine diameter ranged between 27±1.4 and 136.9±4.2 mm between 21-130 days, placentomes width was 17.6±0.6 – 38.5±2.1 mm, placentomes height was 9.5 ± 1.8 – 24.5 ± 1.4 mm on 51-150 days of gestation. The highest positive correlations were obtained between the gestational age and the measurements of uterine diameter (r=0.943). The least positive correlations were between the gestational age and the values of placenta width (r=0.715) and placentom height (r=0.615). In conclusion, transabdominal ultrasonography is a practical method for pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring of embryo in Shami goats. Also, it is reliable to estimate gestation age from 21 days of pregnancy. The uterine diameter was the best maternal parameter that can be used for the longest period for estimation of Shami goats gestational age.

Highlights

‫تقدير عمر الحمل في الماعز الشامي بالاعتماد على قياسات الامواج فوق الصوتية عبر جدار البطن للمشائم وقطر الرحم‬
The age of pregnancy in farm animals is estimated depending on the time of insemination which is considered to be the zero day of pregnancy, and this method is more accurate for determination the age of pregnancy
Pregnancy diagnosis and determination of fetal numbers is very crucial in farm-bred goat, because when there is a lack of gestation in the does usually results in the loss of one production year

Summary

Introduction

‫تقدير عمر الحمل في الماعز الشامي بالاعتماد على قياسات الامواج فوق الصوتية عبر جدار البطن للمشائم وقطر الرحم‬. Shami goats are one of an important farm animal that bred primarily for milk and meat production. Determination of pregnancy age in such animals requires a reliable method to obtain accurate results (2). A reliable pregnancy diagnosis will help to estimate the delivery date which enhance the flock growth planning and management, production of livestock, possible pre-partum diseases. It allows rebreeding or culling of does. Pregnancy diagnosis and determination of fetal numbers is very crucial in farm-bred goat, because when there is a lack of gestation in the does usually results in the loss of one production year. In goats and during the last trimester, 79% gained body weight and fetal development obtained (7)

Objectives

Methods

Results