Evaluation of a Bovine Rapid Visual PAG ELISA Test and Transabdominal Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Awassi Sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate two different methods (a bovine rapid visual PAG ELISA test and transabdominal ultrasonography) for early diagnosis of pregnancy in Awassi sheep. The ewes used in this study (n=50) were hand-mated in June of 2019 and lambed in October of 2019. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 34-38 days after mating by rapid visual PAG ELISA test and transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position. The diagnostic test characteristics of both methods were calculated using lambing results as a gold standard. According to the lambing results, it was determined that, of the 50 ewes, 42 (84%) were pregnant and 8 (16%) were not. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of rapid visual PAG ELISA and transabdominal ultrasonography were 97.6%, 62.5%, 93.2%, 83.3%, 92% and 95.2%, 100%, 100%, 80%, 96%, respectively. In McNemar's analysis, no difference was found between the pregnancy diagnosis methods and lambing results. In conclusion, both rapid visual PAG ELISA and transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position proved to be reliable and practical methods for pregnancy diagnosis as of day 34 post-mating in Awassi ewes.