Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Abstract

The study was aimed to estimate the gestational age of Shami does by transabdominal ultrasonographic measurement of fetal parameters. Thirty-three Shami does aged 2-2.5 years with confirmed conception dates were used. The does were examined in standing position using a transabdominal 3.5 MHz convex sector probe of real-time ultrasonography. The does were examined weekly starting on 21 day of pregnancy until parturition. Measurements of the fetal parameters that includes; the crown rump length, head diameter, chest diameter, trunk diameter were obtained from the ultrasonographic images using the software Screen Calipers. Results showed that the gestational sac and embryos were observed first on 21 and 35 day of pregnancy, respectively. The litter size of pregnant does ranged between two and three kids. Crown rump length ranged between 24.68±1.32 - 71.71±1.84 mm on 41-60 day, head diameter was 15.63±0.82 - 45.04±0.92 mm on 41-120 day, chest diameter was 11.52±0.84 - 56.35±0.93 on 51-110 day, trunk diameter was 10.69±0.85 - 57.38±0.85 mm on 41-130 day of gestation. The highest positive correlations were obtained between the gestational age chest diameter (r=0.935), crown rump length (r=0.917), head diameter (r=0.917) and trunk diameter (r=903). In conclusion, is a practical method for pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring of embryo in Shami goats. Also, it is reliable to estimate gestation age starting on 41 day of pregnancy. The chest diameter was the best fetal parameter, but trunk diameter can be used for longest period to estimate the gestational age of Shami goats.