Ultrasound diagnostics of physiological changes in the uterus during pregnancy in pigs

The paper presents the results of research to determine the possibility of using a MINDRAY DP-50 ultrasound scanner with a 5 MHz abdominal sector probe for the diagnosis of pregnancy in pigs. The object of the study was Landrace pigs belonging to a personal subsidiary farm. A total of 10 heads were examined, including four sows at the age of 3 years with a live weight of 180-200 kg and six gilts at the age of 10 months with a live weight of 70-90 kg. On the basis of the study carried out, pregnancy was established in two gilts and one sow.The ultrasonographic picture showed the presence of fetal blisters in the uterine cavity, the size of which corresponded to the gestation period of 18-20 days. Four gilts and three sows were not diagnosed with pregnancy due to intestinal flatulence. A re-examination established pregnancy in two gilts and two sows out of seven tested pigs. The ultrasound picture was characterized by the presence of embryonic bubbles, the size of which corresponded to the gestation period of 20-21 days and more than 25 days. In three animals, the ultrasonographic picture corresponded to a non-pregnant state. It should be noted that certain inconveniences occur during the work. It is required the apparatus due to its weight and design to be placed on a stable platform for the the sow not to be able to move because of the reseacher's movements limitation, which significantly increases the time spent on the study.