Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out in Alpine does using a real-time u
ltrasound instrument equipped with a 5 MHz sector array probe. Eighty
Alpine does were examined 5 and 7 wk after breeding. Does were restrai
ned while standing, and the transducer probe was placed on the hairles
s caudal ventral abdominal wall cranial to the udder. Non-pregnant doe
s were readily and accurately recognized at 5 and 7 wk after breeding.
Number of fetuses per doe at 5 wk of gestation was different (P < 0.0
2) from the number of kids born because of underprediction of the numb
er of triplets (three vs. eight sets); at 7 wk of gestation it was sim
ilar (P > 0.2) to the number born. Accuracy for determining singles, t
wins, and triplets at 5 wk of gestation was 44, 73, and 67%, respectiv
ely; at 7 wk of gestation it was 82, 89 and 100%, respectively. This a
ccuracy is similar to that reported in ewes. It was concluded that rea
l-time ultrasonography scanning by the transabdominal route is a relia
ble method for early pregnancy diagnoses in goats. The technique also
enables accurate separation of does carrying singles, twins, and tripl
ets as early as 7 wk in gestation. Such information can be useful for
improved nutritional management.