Diagnosis of early pregnancy in water buffalo heifers by palpation and ultrasonography

The possible means of early pregnancy diagnosis in 30 buffalo heifers are d iscussed. Buffalo heifers reach puberty, as determined by ultrasonic detect ion of ovulation, at 20 +/- 2 months of age. Breeding age was, however, rea chet at 30 +/- 4 months. The sizes of the uterus, ovary, follicle and corpu s luteum of buffalo heifers were smaller than those for domestic cattle, Pr egnancy diagnosis was possible as early as 25 days after breeding by the di rection of fluid in the apex of the uterine horn and the presence a corpus luteum. However, accurate pregnancy diagnosis was only possible at day 28 b y the detection of the embryo and its heart beat. In contrast, diagnosis by palpation was successful only at day 35 through the positive fetal membran e slip.