REAL-TIME ULTRASONOGRAPHY FOR PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS AND FETAL AGING IN FALLOW DEER

Three groups of 15 to 17 adult fallow does with some additional yearli ng does in 2 of the groups were treated to synchronise oestrous cycles , and mated. All does were scanned by ultrasound at 4 weeks of gestati on and at weekly Intervals from week 7 to week 14 of gestation. Growth rates of 13 foetal and uterine characters, which have been used for a geing foetuses of red deer, were similar for adult and yearling does a nd among the 3 groups. Transrectal ultrasound scanning was a reliable and accurate means of detecting pregnancy and of ageing foetuses of fa llow deer during weeks 7 to 17 of pregnancy.