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Koyunlarda Gebelik Teşhisinde Transrektal, Transvajinal ve Transabdominal Ultrasonografinin Tanısal Performansı

Year 2026, Volume: 23 Issue: 1 , 49 - 58 , 29.04.2026
https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1743085
https://izlik.org/JA59CT27MH

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, koyunlarda gebeliğin 21., 35. ve 50. günlerinde transrektal ultrasonografiyi (trUSG) referans alarak transvajinal (tvUSG) ve transabdominal (taUSG) ultrasonografinin tanısal etkinliğini değerlendirmek ve karşılaştırmaktır. Çalışmada toplam 100 baş anöstrüsteki İvesi koyunu kullanıldı. Koyunlar östrüs senkronizasyonu sonrası çiftleştirildi. Gebelik tanısı, çiftleşmeden sonraki 21. günde yalnızca tvUSG ve trUSG kullanılarak yapılırken, 35. ve 50. günlerde ek olarak taUSG uygulanarak her üç görüntüleme yönteminin de kullanılmasına olanak sağlandı. tvUSG'de duyarlılık 21., 35. ve 50. günlerde sırasıyla %85.71, %95.34 ve %87.80 olarak bulunurken, özgüllük tüm zaman noktalarında %100.0 olarak kalmıştır. Pozitif öngörü değeri %100.0, negatif öngörü değeri ise sırasıyla%87.93, %96.61 ve %91.18 olarak bulundu. Genel doğruluk 21, 35 ve 50. günlerde sırasıyla %93.00, %98.00 ve %95.00 olarak hesaplandı (Kappa=0.860; 0.959; 0.895, P<0.001). Buna karşılık, taUSG 35. günde %88.37 ve 50. günde %95.12 duyarlılık gösterirken, doğruluk değerleri sırasıyla %95.00 ve %98.00 idi (Kappa 0.897; 0.958, P<0.001). Ortalama muayene süreleri değerlendirildiğinde, tvUSG'nin 21. ve 35. günlerde sırasıyla 110.03±3.09 saniye ve 57.06±1.19 saniye ile en kısa tanı süresine sahip olduğu, taUSG'nin ise 50. günde 50.12±1.40 saniye ile açık ara en hızlı yöntem olduğu görüldü (P<0.001). Sonuç olarak, tvUSG erken gebelik tanısında trUSG'ye alternatif olarak ortaya çıkarken, taUSG uygulama kolaylığı ve daha kısa muayene süresi nedeniyle gebeliğin ileri evrelerinde klinik olarak daha pratiktir.

Project Number

25.LÖKAP.001

References

  • Akköse M, Çinar EM, Yazlik MO, Çebi-Şen Ç, Polat Y. Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins concentrations during early gestation in pregnant Awassi sheep. Med Weter 2021; 77(11): 563-7.
  • Ali A, Derar DR, Abdel-Razek ARK. Ultrasonography for the detection of pregnancy and study of embryonic and fetal development in camels, buffaloes, and sheep: techniques, equations, and limitations. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 107566.
  • Allabban M, Erdem H. Koyunlarda real-time ultrasonografik muayene ile gebelik tanısı. J Bahri Dagdas Anim Res 2020; 9(1): 47-55.
  • Aria G, Shou Z, Botta R, Giuliotti L, Rota A. Trans-vaginal echographic approach to early pregnancy diagnosis in small ruminants. Ann Fac Med Vet Pisa 2004; 57: 35-42.
  • Aziz DM, Lazim EH. Transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position for pregnancy diagnosis in Awassi ewes. Small Rumin Res 2012; 107(2-3): 131-5.
  • Barbagianni MS, Ioannidi KI, Vasileiou NGC, Mavrogianni VS, Orfanou DC, Fthenakis GC, Valasi I. Ultrasonographic examination of pregnant ewes: From early diagnosis of pregnancy to early prediction of dystocia. Small Rumin Res, 2017; 152: 41-55.
  • Çebi Ç, Akköse M. Serum Progesterone and PAG Levels in Pregnant Karya Ewes. Kocatepe Vet J 2024; 17(3): 192-202.
  • Dinç AD, Erdem H, Tasal I, Semacan A, Ergin A. Early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes by means of transrectal realtime ultrasonography. Arch Anim Breed 2001; 44(1): 65-70.
  • Erdem H, Sarıbay MK, Tekeli T. Efficiency of transabdominal ultrasonography in pregnancy diagnosis during late embryonic and early fetal stages of pregnancy in Konya Merino ewes. Eurasian J Vet Sci 2008; 24(1): 15-20.
  • Fasulkov I, Yotov S, Karadaev M, Vasilev N. Application of Transvaginal Ultrasonography for Estimation of the Fetal Number in Bulgarian White Milk Goats. Int J Appl Res Vet Med 2021; 19(1): 1-11.
  • Jones AK, Reed SA. Benefits of ultrasound scanning during gestation in the small ruminant. Small Rumin Res 2017; 149: 163-71.
  • Jones AK, Gately RE, McFadden KK, Zinn SA, Govoni KE, Reed SA. Transabdominal ultrasound for detection of pregnancy, fetal and placental landmarks, and fetal age before Day 45 of gestation in the sheep. Theriogenology 2016; 85(5): 939-45.
  • Kandiel MM, Watanabe G, Taya K. Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal growth in miniature Shiba goats (Capra hircus). Anim Reprod Sci 2015; 162: 1-10.
  • Karen A, Kovács P, Beckers JF, Szenci O. Pregnancy dagnosis in sheep: Review of the most practical methods. Acta Vet Brno 2001; 70(2): 115-26.
  • Köker A, Ince D, Sezik M. The accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography for early pregnancy diagnosis in Saanen goats: A pilot study. Small Rumin Res 2012; 105(1-3): 277-81.
  • Martin SW, Meek AH, Willeberg P. Veterinary Epidemiology, Principles and Methods. Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1987; p.63.
  • McHugh ML. Interrater reliability: the kappa statistic. Biochemia Medica 2012; 22(3): 276-82.
  • Meinecke-Tilmann S MB. Ultrasounography in Small Ruminant Reproductions. Schatten H. Constantinescu GM. eds. In: Comparative Reproductive Biology. 2007; pp. 349-64.
  • Moraes EPBX, Freitas Neto LM, Aguiar Filho CR, Almeida-Irmao JM, Santos MHB, Neves JP, Oliveira MAL. Efficiency of pregnancy diagnosis in ewes by transrectal and transvaginal ultrasonography. Med Vet 2009; 3(2): 15-20.
  • Parmar CP, Patel JA, Islam MM, Pathan MM, Madhira SP, Patel DK. Comparison of Different Techniques for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Surti Does. Indian J Vet Sci Biotechnol 2024; 20(1): 66-7.
  • Petrujkić BT, Cojkić A, Petrujkić K, Jeremić I, Mašulović D, Dimitrijević V, Beier RC. Transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonography of fetuses in Württemberg ewes: Correlation with gestational age. Anim Sci J 2016; 87(2): 197-201.
  • Philip LM, Abhilash RS, Francis BP. Accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography for early pregnancy diagnosis in Attappady Black goats. J Vet Res 2017; 8(2): 35-41.
  • Rassu SPG, Vallebella R, Doro P, Petruzzi V, Enne G. The use of real-time ultrasound for early pregnancy diagnosis in Sarda ewes. Atti della Associazione Scientifica di Produzione Animale. June, 287-288, 1997; Pisa-Italy.
  • Romano JE, Christians CJ. Early pregnancy diagnosis by transrectal ultrasonography in ewes. Small Rumin Res 2008; 77(1): 51-7.
  • Satıcı E, Özyurtlu N. Pregnancy Diagnosis Methods in Sheep and the Functions of miRNAs in Regulating the Pregnancy Process. J Sci Inst (ISPEC) 2024; 3(1): 53–9.
  • Tekin TC, Köse AM. Investigation of the effectiveness of ultrasonography in determining pregnancy and the number of fetuses on the 35th day of pregnancy in Awassi sheep. J Adv VetBio Sci Tech 2022; 7(2): 143-52.
  • Ulusoy H, Kaymaz M. Koyunlarda gebelik tanısı. Vet Hekim Der Derg 2009; 80(1): 31-6.
  • Uyanık G, Abay M, Demiral ÖO. Effect of post-mating GnRH or TAK-683 (Kisspeptin analog) treatment on the reproductive performance and serum progesterone concentration in ewes during the non-breeding season. Small Rumin Res 2024; 238: 107331.
  • Uyanık G, Gözer A. Effect of Different Doses of Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin on the Pregnancy Rates in the Awassi Ewes in Out-of-breeding Season. 9th International Congress on Veterinary and Animal Sciences. December, 105-106, 2024; İzmir-Turkey.
  • Uyanık G, Yüksel M, Abay M, Gözer A, Kara F, Arslanhan E, Gökcek I, Kaya, U. The Field Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of a Commercial Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein-Based Lateral Flow Assay for Early Pregnancy Detection in Ewes. Vet J 2026; 316: 106584.
  • Yadav V, Chandolia R, Bisla A, Saini G, Dutt R, Ranga L. Accuracy of Real-Time B-Mode Trans-Rectal Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Crossbred Ewes. Int J Livest Res 2019; 9(10): 170-8.

Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes

Year 2026, Volume: 23 Issue: 1 , 49 - 58 , 29.04.2026
https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1743085
https://izlik.org/JA59CT27MH

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic efficiency of transvaginal (tvUSG) and transabdominal (taUSG) ultrasonography on the 21st, 35th, and 50th days of pregnancy in ewes, using transrectal ultrasonography (trUSG) as the reference method. A total of 100 Awassi ewes in anoestrus were used in the study. Ewes were mated after estrus synchronisation. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed using only tvUSG and trUSG on Day 21 post-mating, whereas on Days 35 and 50, taUSG was additionally applied, allowing the use of all three imaging modalities. In tvUSG, the sensitivity on Days 21, 35, and 50 was 85.71%, 95.34%, and 87.80%, respectively, while specificity remained 100.0% at all time points. The positive predictive value was 100.0%, and the negative predictive value was 87.93%, 96.61%, and 91.18%, respectively. Overall accuracy was calculated as 93.00%, 98.00%, and 95.00% on Days 21, 35, and 50 (Kappa=0.860; 0.959; 0.895, P<0.001). Conversely, taUSG demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.37% on Day 35 and 95.12% on Day 50, with accuracy values of 95.00% and 98.00%, respectively (Kappa 0.897; 0958, P<0.001). When the mean examination times were evaluated, tvUSG had the shortest diagnostic time with 110.03±3.09 seconds and 57.06±1.19 seconds on days 21 and 35, respectively, while taUSG was by far the fastest method with 50.12±1.40 seconds on day 50 (P<0.001). In conclusion, tvUSG emerges as an alternative to trUSG for early pregnancy diagnosis, whereas taUSG is clinically more practical in later stages of gestation due to its ease of application and shorter examination time.

Ethical Statement

This study was performed with the approval of the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments of Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey (2025/03-13).

Supporting Institution

This research was supported by the Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, project number 25.LÖKAP.001.

Project Number

25.LÖKAP.001

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit for supporting this research with the project number 25.LÖKAP.001 and Kasım Taşçı, Deniz Köskü and Zehra Çetinkaya for their valuable help during the experimental phase of the project.

References

  • Akköse M, Çinar EM, Yazlik MO, Çebi-Şen Ç, Polat Y. Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins concentrations during early gestation in pregnant Awassi sheep. Med Weter 2021; 77(11): 563-7.
  • Ali A, Derar DR, Abdel-Razek ARK. Ultrasonography for the detection of pregnancy and study of embryonic and fetal development in camels, buffaloes, and sheep: techniques, equations, and limitations. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 107566.
  • Allabban M, Erdem H. Koyunlarda real-time ultrasonografik muayene ile gebelik tanısı. J Bahri Dagdas Anim Res 2020; 9(1): 47-55.
  • Aria G, Shou Z, Botta R, Giuliotti L, Rota A. Trans-vaginal echographic approach to early pregnancy diagnosis in small ruminants. Ann Fac Med Vet Pisa 2004; 57: 35-42.
  • Aziz DM, Lazim EH. Transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position for pregnancy diagnosis in Awassi ewes. Small Rumin Res 2012; 107(2-3): 131-5.
  • Barbagianni MS, Ioannidi KI, Vasileiou NGC, Mavrogianni VS, Orfanou DC, Fthenakis GC, Valasi I. Ultrasonographic examination of pregnant ewes: From early diagnosis of pregnancy to early prediction of dystocia. Small Rumin Res, 2017; 152: 41-55.
  • Çebi Ç, Akköse M. Serum Progesterone and PAG Levels in Pregnant Karya Ewes. Kocatepe Vet J 2024; 17(3): 192-202.
  • Dinç AD, Erdem H, Tasal I, Semacan A, Ergin A. Early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes by means of transrectal realtime ultrasonography. Arch Anim Breed 2001; 44(1): 65-70.
  • Erdem H, Sarıbay MK, Tekeli T. Efficiency of transabdominal ultrasonography in pregnancy diagnosis during late embryonic and early fetal stages of pregnancy in Konya Merino ewes. Eurasian J Vet Sci 2008; 24(1): 15-20.
  • Fasulkov I, Yotov S, Karadaev M, Vasilev N. Application of Transvaginal Ultrasonography for Estimation of the Fetal Number in Bulgarian White Milk Goats. Int J Appl Res Vet Med 2021; 19(1): 1-11.
  • Jones AK, Reed SA. Benefits of ultrasound scanning during gestation in the small ruminant. Small Rumin Res 2017; 149: 163-71.
  • Jones AK, Gately RE, McFadden KK, Zinn SA, Govoni KE, Reed SA. Transabdominal ultrasound for detection of pregnancy, fetal and placental landmarks, and fetal age before Day 45 of gestation in the sheep. Theriogenology 2016; 85(5): 939-45.
  • Kandiel MM, Watanabe G, Taya K. Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal growth in miniature Shiba goats (Capra hircus). Anim Reprod Sci 2015; 162: 1-10.
  • Karen A, Kovács P, Beckers JF, Szenci O. Pregnancy dagnosis in sheep: Review of the most practical methods. Acta Vet Brno 2001; 70(2): 115-26.
  • Köker A, Ince D, Sezik M. The accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography for early pregnancy diagnosis in Saanen goats: A pilot study. Small Rumin Res 2012; 105(1-3): 277-81.
  • Martin SW, Meek AH, Willeberg P. Veterinary Epidemiology, Principles and Methods. Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1987; p.63.
  • McHugh ML. Interrater reliability: the kappa statistic. Biochemia Medica 2012; 22(3): 276-82.
  • Meinecke-Tilmann S MB. Ultrasounography in Small Ruminant Reproductions. Schatten H. Constantinescu GM. eds. In: Comparative Reproductive Biology. 2007; pp. 349-64.
  • Moraes EPBX, Freitas Neto LM, Aguiar Filho CR, Almeida-Irmao JM, Santos MHB, Neves JP, Oliveira MAL. Efficiency of pregnancy diagnosis in ewes by transrectal and transvaginal ultrasonography. Med Vet 2009; 3(2): 15-20.
  • Parmar CP, Patel JA, Islam MM, Pathan MM, Madhira SP, Patel DK. Comparison of Different Techniques for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Surti Does. Indian J Vet Sci Biotechnol 2024; 20(1): 66-7.
  • Petrujkić BT, Cojkić A, Petrujkić K, Jeremić I, Mašulović D, Dimitrijević V, Beier RC. Transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonography of fetuses in Württemberg ewes: Correlation with gestational age. Anim Sci J 2016; 87(2): 197-201.
  • Philip LM, Abhilash RS, Francis BP. Accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography for early pregnancy diagnosis in Attappady Black goats. J Vet Res 2017; 8(2): 35-41.
  • Rassu SPG, Vallebella R, Doro P, Petruzzi V, Enne G. The use of real-time ultrasound for early pregnancy diagnosis in Sarda ewes. Atti della Associazione Scientifica di Produzione Animale. June, 287-288, 1997; Pisa-Italy.
  • Romano JE, Christians CJ. Early pregnancy diagnosis by transrectal ultrasonography in ewes. Small Rumin Res 2008; 77(1): 51-7.
  • Satıcı E, Özyurtlu N. Pregnancy Diagnosis Methods in Sheep and the Functions of miRNAs in Regulating the Pregnancy Process. J Sci Inst (ISPEC) 2024; 3(1): 53–9.
  • Tekin TC, Köse AM. Investigation of the effectiveness of ultrasonography in determining pregnancy and the number of fetuses on the 35th day of pregnancy in Awassi sheep. J Adv VetBio Sci Tech 2022; 7(2): 143-52.
  • Ulusoy H, Kaymaz M. Koyunlarda gebelik tanısı. Vet Hekim Der Derg 2009; 80(1): 31-6.
  • Uyanık G, Abay M, Demiral ÖO. Effect of post-mating GnRH or TAK-683 (Kisspeptin analog) treatment on the reproductive performance and serum progesterone concentration in ewes during the non-breeding season. Small Rumin Res 2024; 238: 107331.
  • Uyanık G, Gözer A. Effect of Different Doses of Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin on the Pregnancy Rates in the Awassi Ewes in Out-of-breeding Season. 9th International Congress on Veterinary and Animal Sciences. December, 105-106, 2024; İzmir-Turkey.
  • Uyanık G, Yüksel M, Abay M, Gözer A, Kara F, Arslanhan E, Gökcek I, Kaya, U. The Field Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of a Commercial Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein-Based Lateral Flow Assay for Early Pregnancy Detection in Ewes. Vet J 2026; 316: 106584.
  • Yadav V, Chandolia R, Bisla A, Saini G, Dutt R, Ranga L. Accuracy of Real-Time B-Mode Trans-Rectal Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Crossbred Ewes. Int J Livest Res 2019; 9(10): 170-8.
There are 31 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Gökhan Uyanık 0000-0003-4488-3055

Murat Yüksel 0000-0001-6634-0559

Ahmet Gözer 0000-0001-8658-5916

Murat Abay 0000-0003-2457-1919

Filiz Kara 0009-0007-3301-1987

Ufuk Kaya 0000-0002-4805-0993

Eren Ceylan 0000-0001-6095-7937

Project Number 25.LÖKAP.001
Submission Date July 15, 2025
Acceptance Date March 27, 2026
Publication Date April 29, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1743085
IZ https://izlik.org/JA59CT27MH
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 23 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Uyanık, G., Yüksel, M., Gözer, A., Abay, M., Kara, F., Kaya, U., & Ceylan, E. (2026). Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 23(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1743085
AMA 1.Uyanık G, Yüksel M, Gözer A, et al. Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;23(1):49-58. doi:10.32707/ercivet.1743085
Chicago Uyanık, Gökhan, Murat Yüksel, Ahmet Gözer, et al. 2026. “Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes”. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 23 (1): 49-58. https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1743085.
EndNote Uyanık G, Yüksel M, Gözer A, Abay M, Kara F, Kaya U, Ceylan E (April 1, 2026) Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 23 1 49–58.
IEEE [1]G. Uyanık et al., “Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes”, Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 49–58, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.32707/ercivet.1743085.
ISNAD Uyanık, Gökhan - Yüksel, Murat - Gözer, Ahmet - Abay, Murat - Kara, Filiz - Kaya, Ufuk - Ceylan, Eren. “Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes”. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 23/1 (April 1, 2026): 49-58. https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1743085.
JAMA 1.Uyanık G, Yüksel M, Gözer A, Abay M, Kara F, Kaya U, Ceylan E. Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;23:49–58.
MLA Uyanık, Gökhan, et al. “Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes”. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 49-58, doi:10.32707/ercivet.1743085.
Vancouver 1.Gökhan Uyanık, Murat Yüksel, Ahmet Gözer, Murat Abay, Filiz Kara, Ufuk Kaya, Eren Ceylan. Diagnostic Performance of Transrectal, Transvaginal, and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Pregnancy Diagnosis in Ewes. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;23(1):49-58. doi:10.32707/ercivet.1743085