Fetal development control in female of black sea bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus ponticus Barabash, 1940) in the second half of pregnancy

The aim of the study was to identify pregnancy in females of black sea bottlenose dolphin by ultrasound diagnosis (UD) and to study the dynamics of linear dimensions of the head and chest of the fetus in its second half, as well as blood parameters of pregnant females, depending on its timing in cases both of safe and unsuccessful delivery. In the period from 2004 to 2017, the studies were conducted in various dolphinariums on the Black Sea coast. 30 cases of pregnancy of black sea bottlenose dolphins were detected and a number of studies were conducted. Throughout the period of studies, there were cases of successful and unsuccessful delivery, which caused the formation of two groups of newborns. The first group included safely born cubs, the second group-stillborn or dead on the first day after birth. There were no significant differences between the size of head and chest in the same month of pregnancy in these two groups of bottlenose calves. The method of ultrasonic diagnostics of pregnancy in female dolphins in comparison with other methods was well established...