Authors : Djallel Eddine Gherissi, Farida Afri-Bouzebda and Zoubira Bouzebda
Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the chronological evolution of the fetal external features and body measurements to monitoring the pregnant reproductive tract and placental dimensions for prediction of gestational age in Sahraoui camel breed. The reproductive tracts of 34 gravid she-camels between 70-391 day were collected and the following biometric parameters were recorded, i.e., LLUH, WLUH, LRUH, WRUH, LUB, DCL, PL, PW, CRL, SH, BPD, HL, FL, ED and AC. The fetal biometric parameters were the best predictors of the gestational age (R2 = 0.99, p<0.001, Sepred = 2.40 day). However, the maternal and placental parameters were less pred accurate to fetal aging (R2 = 0.89, p<0.001, Sepred = 15.23 d ay a nd R2 = 0.80, p<0.001, Sepred = 12.37 days, pred pred respectively). According to the three periods of gestation the LH and LF had the most significant role in predicting gestational age at the 1st third of pregnancy (R2 = 0.99, Sepred = 0.22 day, p<0.001). At the 2nd third, pred the LH was the best predictor of gestational age (R2 = 0.99, Sepred = 2.14 day, p<0.001) and at the last third of pred gestation the BPD was the most accurate (R2 = 0.97, Sepred = 6.64 day, p<0.001). The general stepwise regression pred formula including the BPD gave the most accurate prediction (R2 = 0.99, p<0.001, Sepred = 1.24). The obtained results can assist practitioners in the rapid fetal aging using ultrasound examination, on aborted camels at prematurity and in scientific research on the reproduction and development of camels.
Djallel Eddine Gherissi, Farida Afri-Bouzebda and Zoubira Bouzebda, 2017. Gestational Age Estimation of Sahraoui Dromedary Camel Based on Fetomaternal Measures and Phenotypic Characteristics. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 16: 32-39.