Comparative ultrasonographic foetal studies in goat and dog

Abstract

Developmental activities of a kid and pup in-utero were compared. Goats (4) of crosses between Black Bengal and Rectal breeds and 4 bitches of crosses of Pumeranian and Samoyed breeds were subjected to ultrasonographic scanning from day 21 post-conception and onwards. The scanning was carried out on alternate days. On day 25 post-conception, heartbeat was noticed in kids, while it was observed on day 22 post-conception in pups. Movements of kid's body-parts were observed on post-conception day 38. While it was on day 28 post-conception pups. On day 33 post-conception. pups started opening mouth, while this activity was on day 75 in kids. Pups appeared to stir fetal fluid by moving whole body and limbs. During this activity, fetal membrane swung along the body. The kids tried to bring forelimb close to mouth and appeared to touch the fore limbs. Pups appeared to rest in straight body position. while kids appeared to turn the neck back over or close lo thorax. Remarkable event was seen in 2 kids, which showed rumination-like movements of mouthparts. This activiiy was observed from day 80 post-conception onwards. Pups appeared to bite fetal membranes, but no masticatory movements of mouthparts were observed through day 55 post-conception (day of final observation). From this study it is concluded that 1) kids develop masticatory movements inside womb of mother and 2) pups start biting action on fetal membranes in-utera.