ULTRASONOGRAPHIC IMAGING TO MONITOR EARLY-PREGNANCY AND EMBRYONIC-DEVELOPMENT IN THE BUFFALO (BUBALUS-BUBALIS)

Real time B-mode ultrasound was used to detect and monitor the early c onceptus, its growth and its anatomical features in 26 buffalo between Days 18 and 62 of gestation. The buffalo were artificially inseminate d, and the conceptuses were examined on alternate days begining on Day 18. The embryonic vesicle and the embryo proper within the vesicle wa s first visible in 12 of the buffalo on mean Day (+/-SD) 19.00+/-2.1 a nd Day 19.0+/-1.69, respectively. The heartbeat of the embryo proper c ould be detected on Day 29.6+/-1.57. The heart rate of 203.8+/-9.0 bea ts per minute on the first day of detection decreased to 150 beats per minute on Day 62. The allantois, amnion, fore limbs, spinal cord and hind limbs were first identified on Day 30.0+/-1.14,Day 33.4+/-1.64,Da y 34.6+/-1.34,Day 35.8+/-2.52 and Day 36.8+/-2.34,respectively. The op tic area was first distinguished on Day 38.2+/-2.39. Split hooves, fet al movement, ribs and vertebra were identified on Day 46.0+/-2.64, Day 49.4+/-2.31 and Day 59.8+/-2.39,respectively. The mean length of the embryo proper was 4.2 mm on Day 19 which later increased to 53.6+/-2.1 mm on Day 62.