Title: Use of echography in rabbits for pregnancy diagnosis.
Abstract: A real-time ultrasound scanner was used for pregnancy diagnosis in rabbits. The images of fluid-filled round uteri were recognized first on the echograph after day 6 of gestation. Accuracy of the diagnosis approaches 100% on day 9 of gestation and the high accuracy was maintained throughout pregnancy period. After day 18 the fetal vertebra and the beating heart could be observed, and the death of fetuses was able to diagnose. Fetal age could be estimated by measuring the uterine diameter. Litter size also could be estimated with the errors of ±2. A real-time ultrasound can be used for the diagnosis of rabbit pregnancy as an accurate, rapid and easy method.