Early Pregnancy Diagnosis and Fetometry Using B-Mode Real-Time Ultrasonography in Damascus Goats in Sudan

This study evaluated the accuracy of real-time B-mode ultrasonography for early pregnancy diagnosis and established gestational age prediction equations in Damascus (Shami) goats under Sudanese conditions. Twenty-four non-pregnant Damascus does (12–55 months; 40–65 kg) were synchronized with PGF₂α and naturally mated. Transrectal ultrasonography (3.5–7.5 MHz) was performed from day 18–25 post-mating for pregnancy diagnosis, followed by weekly transabdominal scanning (2.5–5.5 MHz) from day 35–102 for fetal biometry. Crown-rump length (CRL), biparietal diameter (BPD), placentome diameter (PD), and umbilical cord diameter (UCD) were measured. Pregnancy diagnosis accuracy was 100% (24/24), confirmed at parturition. Singleton and twin pregnancies were identified with 75% and 25% accuracy, respectively. Fetal heartbeat was first detected on day 22. All biometric parameters showed highly significant linear correlations with gestational age (p < 0.0001). The derived regression equations were: GA = 3.874×CRL + 28.836 (R² = 0.96); GA = 18.104×BPD + 23.989 (R² = 0.96); GA = 17.460×PD + 22.669 (R² = 0.94); GA = 77.039×UCD + 16.879 (R² = 0.95). Mean CRL ranged from 1.60 cm (day 35) to 14.00 cm (day 84); BPD from 1.12 cm (day 44) to 3.82 cm (day 93); PD from 0.83 cm (day 37) to 3.64 cm (day 86); and UCD from 0.56 cm (day 60) to 1.11 cm (day 102). No fetal abnormalities or abortions were observed. Real-time B-mode ultrasonography is a reliable, non-invasive tool for early pregnancy diagnosis and accurate gestational age estimation in Damascus goats using the proposed equations.

Keywords: Damascus Goat, Early Pregnancy Diagnosis, Real-Time Ultrasonography, Fetometry, CrownRump Length, Gestational Age.