Accuracy of early pregnancy diagnosis and detection of twins using real-time ultrasonography compared to progesterone concentration in barki goats [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out in 53 Barn goats after 45, 55, and 75 days of the start of the mating season (September) using a real-time ultrasound.The calculated corresponding gestational ages were 20,35, and 50 d for the scanning on days 45, 55, 75 of mating season, respectively. Transrectal ultrasound (TRU) data were compared to serum progesterone concentrations in pregnant and non-pregnant does. Pregnancy rate was differed insignificantly among the tested days ranging from 86 to 96%. Detection of twin pregnancy increased (P<0.01)from 9.9% at day 45 after the onset of mating season to 45.3% in days 55 and 75. Pregnant does carrying ≤19 days-old embryos either correctly or incorrectly diagnosed by TRU had high serum progesterone concentrations. Progesterone concentrations were almost similar in open does and those pregnant in singles or-twins (10.9, 11.2, and 12.9 ng/ml, respectively). Progesterone concentrations tended to increase with the advance of pregnancy (10.4, 11.7, 15.0 ng/ml in days 45,55, and 75, respectively) however insignificant. The present study revealed that early diagnosis of pregnancy and determination of number of fetuses based on serum progesterone concentrations proved to . be inconclusive. Pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasound . technique is recommended for higher accuracy after day 20 onwards after mating. Accurate detection of single or multiple fetuses in goat does should be carried out starting from day 30 after mating.

Summary in Arabic.

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