Determination of first pregnancy and foetal measurements in Egyptian Baladi goats (Capra hircus)

This study was conducted using B-mode transrectal (TR) and transabdominal (TA) ultrasonography to determine early pregnancy and fetometry. A total of 110 does aged between 8 and 36 months were used. The detection of early pregnancy and foetal number was measured. The relationship between gestation age and crown-rump length (CRL) and bi-parietal diameter (BPD) was determined from days 40 to 109 of gestation. The accuracy of foetal sexing was determined by differentiation of genital tubercle (GT) from days 40 to 109 of gestation and then followed up after birth. The examination revealed 95.5% of does were pregnant, with 100% accuracy in detecting pregnancy for positive cases. The foetal number was 45.7% and 54.3% for single and twins/triplets. The TR probe enabled more reliable and early recognition of foetal fluid (5 days) and heart beats (4 days) than the TA probe. The TR observation of heart beats is recommended as conclusive evidence of the presence of a live foetus. The TA convex probe was used from days 40-89 to measure CRL and from days 40-109 to measure BPD. The relation between gestational age and CRL or BPD were highly significant (p0.05) higher in single, compared to multiple pregnancies. In total, 83.3% and 70.2% of single and twins and triplets were sexed. After birth, one case was misdiagnosed by ultrasound, i.e. 83.3% (single) and 68.4% (twins and triplets) were sexed. However, identification of GT in male foetuses was possible from day 40 onwards. From a total 105 scanned does, 80 (76.2%) were sexed and 75.2% of cases were sexed after birth. B-mode real-time ultrasonography is recommended as a reliable means that can be used in field conditions to provide early detection of gestation as early as 19-27 days after mating, for CRL or BPD measuring and foetal sexing from day 40 of gestation onwards