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Equine foetal gender determination in mid- to late gestational mares: A practical inquiry.
Abstract: In recent years, the interest in equine foetal gender determination (FGD) during gestation increased remarkably. Ultrasonographic FGD can be performed in two different periods during gestation. The earliest examination can take place at a gestational age of 60-70 days, whereby the genital tubercle is used to differentiate between male and female foeti. The time window of the second approach is wider (120-210 days), and there are more characteristics to take into consideration. In this article, the feasibility and accuracy of ultrasonographic FGD in mid- to late gestation are evaluated. One hundred twenty-one mares from different breeds with a pregnancy stage between 120 and 270 days were examined once, using B-scale ultrasonography (Esaote MyLab™ClassC). None of the mares were sedated nor shaved, and the procedure was completed within 15 min. Diagnosis was firstly based on the gonads. The final judgement was made based on all visible foetal reproductive organs. In three cases with a pregnancy stage beyond 257 days, FGD was not possible. All of the examined mares in which a FGD could be performed gave birth to a healthy foal. In 98% of the examinations (116/118), the diagnosis was correctly made. In both cases of misdiagnosis, only one characteristic was seen during the procedure and wrongly interpreted. Beyond 210 days of pregnancy, the extremities can preclude a good visualization of the inguinal region. In conclusion, equine FGD in mid- to late gestation is an accessible and accurate technique, although a good ultrasound device is a prerequisite and experience and expertise is necessary.
© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2018-06-12 PubMed ID: 29894018DOI: 10.1111/rda.13211Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research study focuses on the accuracy and feasibility of equine foetal gender determination (FGD) during mid to late gestation periods using B-scale ultrasonography. It found that ultrasonographic FGD is an efficient and accurate method, however it requires expertise and the right equipment.
Methodology
The researchers used a sample of 121 mares from various breeds that were at different stages of gestation, ranging from 120 to 270 days. Each mare was examined only once using B-scale ultrasonography, specifically the Esaote MyLab™ClassC. No sedatives were used and no shaving was done prior to examination. The examination process was completed within 15 minutes for all mares.
- For each observed pregnancy, the researchers first considered the gonads for gender determination.
- The final judgement was not solely dependent on the gonads but was made considering all visible foetal reproductive organs.
Findings
The study revealed that in three cases when the pregnancy stage was beyond 257 days, FGD could not be undertaken successfully. However, all the other mares, in which FGD was conducted, delivered healthy foals later on.
- The research found that in 98% of the cases (116 out of 118), the diagnosis made using the ultrasonographic method was accurate.
- However, the remaining 2 cases were misdiagnoses because only one characteristic was visible during the procedure and was misinterpreted.
Limitations and Conclusion
The study identified that for advanced stages of pregnancy, beyond 210 days, it becomes increasingly hard to get clear visibility of the inguinal region due to the foal’s extremities.
In conclusion, the researchers found that equine FGD during mid- to late gestation periods is feasible and highly accurate when ultrasonographic methods, particularly the B-scale variant, are employed. However, for effective diagnosis and interpretation, it requires a good ultrasound device and considerable expertise and experience in the field.
Cite This Article
APA
Van de Velde M, Roels K, Ververs C, Gerits I, Govaere J.
(2018).
Equine foetal gender determination in mid- to late gestational mares: A practical inquiry.
Reprod Domest Anim, 53(5), 1027-1032.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13211 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Genitalia / diagnostic imaging
- Gestational Age
- Horses / embryology
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Sex Determination Analysis / veterinary
- Ultrasonography, Prenatal / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gómez-Arrones V, Martín-Cano FE, Gil MC, Peña FJ, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Da Silva-Álvarez E. Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches. Reprod Domest Anim 2022 Oct;57 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):34-44.
- Gao Y, Hannan MA, Murata K, Rajabi-Toustani R, Nambo Y. Ultrasonographic examination of equine fetal growth parameters throughout gestation in pony for Equine-Assisted Therapy. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Jan 7;84(1):74-81.
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