Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic characteristics of umbilical vessels in healthy pregnant Beetal goats.
Materials and methods: Doppler examinations were performed from day 20 to 120 of gestation, twice in week from day 20 to 60 and once in week from day 60 to 120 of gestation on six goats.
Results: Free floating umbilical cord was identified on day 39 of gestation. The umbilical cord waveform was characterized by the simultaneous presence of arterial and venous flow. The pattern of blood flow in the umbilical artery was represented as saw tooth pattern above the baseline. Pattern of blood flow in umbilical vein was flat and wavy in nature; presented below the baseline. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) increased significantly from day 39 to 67 and further between 98 and 120 days of gestation (p<0.05), but there was no significant increase or decrease in end-diastolic velocity (EDV). Pulsatility index (PI) value was increased significantly during 42 to 48 days of gestation and decreased significantly from 98 to 105 days of gestation. On other days, there was no significant increase or decrease. Value of resistance index (RI) was more stable than PI values as there was no significant increase or decrease in RI value.
Conclusions: From the present study, it is reasonable to conclude that the normal blood flow parameters like PI, RI, PSV and EDV during gestation might be helpful in assessment of antenatal development of fetus in the goat. This work provides the basis for further contribution in diagnosing and monitoring high-risk pregnancy in this species.
Keywords: Doppler sonography; gestation period; goats; umbilical cord.