ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN SWINE GYNECOLOGY - POS SIBILITIES AND LIMITS

The present paper shows possibilities and limits of real-time B-mode s canning as a diagnostic tool in swine gynaecology. Under practical con ditions transcutaneous sonography using a 5 Mhz sector transducer is p referable compared with transrectal sonography. The technique of trans cutaneous sonography in the standing sow for examination of uterus and ovaries is described. In uterine diagnosis early and precise detectio n of pregnancy is most important. Diagnosis of cyclic and pathological ovarian results is closely related to the experience of the investiga tor and the type of scanner used. Experimental studies in sow herds wi th repeated scannings in several cycles have revealed further knowledg e for the interpretation of sonographic evaluation of ovaries. Diagnos tic differentiation of sonographic ovarian findings often requires rep eated scannings. The real-time ultrasound technique is a helpful tool for the control of fertility in sow breeding herds.