Early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes by means of transrectal real-time ultrasonography (short communication)

This study was performed to determine the optimum time for early pregnancy diagnosis with transrectal scanning in ewes. A total of 42 ewes was examine d, using a real-time 5 MHz linear-transducer from day 19 to 29 (Group I, n= 22) and From day 30 to 44 (Group II, n=20) after AI or natural mating. Ultr asonic results were compared with lambing records. Accuracy, sensitivity, s pecivity, positive and negative predictive values for these tests were 77.3 %, 84.2%, 33.3%, 88.9%, 25.0% in Group I, and 80.0%, 74.3%, 85.7%, 90.9% an d 53.8% in Group Il, respectively. No significant differences were seen bet ween the accuracy and positive predictive values of Group I and II. It was concluded, that the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis by real-time transrecta l ultrasonography can be high already 19 to 29 after AI or natural mating.