Multiple pregnancy diagnosis of ewes using real time ultrasonic
body scanner and video-fluoroscopy systems
N.D. Grace, A.D. Beach, T.D. Quinlivan and B. Ward
Biotechnology Division, DSIR, Palmerston North; Auckland
Industrial Development Division, DSIR, Auckland; Pastoral Consultants
(NZ) Ltd, PO Box 41, Otane, Hawkes Bay and Agritech Consultants Ltd,
Palmerston North
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1989, 49: 107-112
The pregnancy status of over 4700 ewes, divided into 21 flocks
(137 to 688 ewes) and grazed on 14 properties in the Hawkes Bay, were
diagnosed using either or both real time ultrasonic body scanner
(ultrasonic) and video-fluoroscopy (X-ray) systems. The diagnosis was
checked with the number of lambs born, dead or alive, to each ewe. For
the ultrasonic system the percent of ewes whose lambing status was
correctly predicted ranged from 96.1 to 100% for 19 flocks examined. In
the case of the X-ray system the values for 13 flocks examined, except
for one property, ranged from 94.3 to 99.6%. The operators must have a
special aptitude in handling the instruments and interpreting an image
on a screen if good results are to be obtained. The maximal throughputs
for the ultrasonic and X-ray systems were 200 and 250 ewes per hour
respectively.
The major differences between the two systems (ultrasonic v X-rays)
were: i) The capital outlay for the ultrasonic system was about a
twelfth of that of the mobile X-ray system. ii) A good backup service
is needed to maintain the X-ray equipment. iii) To sustain a throughput
of over 200 ewes per hour, excluding the operator, 5 labour units were
required for the sheep handling associated with the ultrasonic system
compared to one for the X-ray system.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Sheep; pregnancy diagnosis; ultrasonic; video-fluoroscopy
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Last Updated 18-03-1997
