Transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position for pregnancy diagnosis in Awassi ewes

The study was conducted to use the transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position for pregnancy diagnosis in Awassi ewes. Four groups of ewes were included, the first group included 35 ewes examined after 90-100 days of insemination, the second group included 14 ewes examined after 70-80 days of insemination, the third group included 78 ewes have different date of insemination (45-120 days), the fourth group included 15 ewes examined at five different times; 21-24, 28-32, 40-43, 47-50 and 57-60 days after insemination. The ewes were examined transabdominally in standing position by applying of 3.5 MHz sectorial probe at the hairless area of the inguinal region of right sides without shaving of the ventral abdominal wall. At lamping the accuracy of ultrasonographic examinations was 100% for ewes of the first three groups, the diagnosis of pregnancy was very fast (about 0.5 min) by observation of fluid filled uterus and placentomes, but observation of fetuses and their parts required more time (about 1 min). The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis in ewes of fourth group which done at 21-24, 28-32, 40-43, 47-50 and 57-60 days after insemination were 53% (8/15), 80% (12/15), 100% (15/15), 100% (15/15) and 100% (15/15), respectively. In conclusion, transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position is fast, safe and reliable for pregnancy diagnosis in Awassi ewes, and 100% of accuracy can be got after 40 days of insemination. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.