The amount of vascularization in placentomes can reflect the number of offspring in Kıvırcık ewes.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether the power Doppler ultrasonography can distinguish between singleton and twin pregnancies on day 50 by determining placentome vascularization in Kıvırcık ewes. A total of 67 ewes were enrolled for the study. Pregnancy was confirmed on day 23 at 51 of 67 sheep that were synchronized. The groups were formed based on the presence of single (Group S; n = 25 ewes) or twin (Group T; n = 26 ewes) foetuses. Placentome diameters on day 50 were not different between the groups (P > 0.05). Placentome blood flow area and the mean, minimum and maximum amount of coloured pixels were unrelated to groups. However, the relationship between the parameters that reflect the placentome vascularity in Group S was statistically detectable. The mean amount of coloured pixels in Group S tended to be moderately correlated with the mean amount of coloured pixels in Group T. There was a positive correlation in the mean, maximum, and area of the coloured pixels in twin pregnancies. In conclusion, power flow Doppler ultrasonography can be used to determine placentome blood perfusion but the number of offspring on day 50 could not be determined by placentome vascularity.