Maternal fetal B-mode and Doppler sonography in gestational evaluation of sheep

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of high-resolution B mode and Doppler ultrasound for assessment of pregnancy in sheep, with emphasis on early pregnancy detection and determination of Doppler indexes. Clinical history, physical and obstetric examination and blood test will be performed in 30 sheep. The ultrasonograms will be obtained with the MyLab " 30 VET with high resolution probes (5.0 to 7.5 MHz). The examinations will be held daily from 10 days after coverage as an attempt to make an early pregnancy detection. After confirmation of pregnancy, weekly evaluations will be peroformed. The diameter of the embryonic vesicle, the skull caudal length, distance from the nape to the snout, also, the biparietal, chest and eye socket conceptus diameters will be measured. The presence or absence of heart beats will be observed. Moreover, biometry of the foetus' organs will is performed. Doppler indices of vascular vessels involved in fetal maternal circulation, and fetal aorta will be obtained. Also, Doppler indices of uterine and ovarian arteries, and evaluation of the vascularization of the corpus luteum and the area of placentation will be obtained. The experimental design is completely randomized, with a significance level of 5% for the performed tests. (AU)