Migration time of the genital tubercle in caprine and ovine fetuses: comparison between breeds, sexes and species.

The aim of this work was to determine the ideal moment to sex goat and sheep fetuses, to compare the average time of genital tubercle (GT) migration between sexes, breeds and species, and to evaluate the accuracy of fetal sexing between sexes. A total of 317 fetuses of 219 pregnant females were monitored at 24-hour interval, from days 30 to 60 of pregnancy in ewes, and from days 40 to 60 in goats. Examinations were performed using transrectal ultrasound equipped with a linear transducer of double frequency.

Early fetal sexing of Saanen goats by use of transrectal ultrasonography to identify the genital tubercle and external genitalia.

Objective: To define the optimum period for sexing of Saanen goat fetuses by use of transrectal ultrasonography.

Animals: 82 Saanen goats pregnant with 124 fetuses.

Procedures: Fetal sexing was performed on the basis of the final location of the genital tubercle or identification of external genitalia.