PALPATION OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS AND PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS IN EWES USING BIMANUAL TECHNIQUE

Effectiveness of bimanual palpation technique for assessing the reproductive status and for diagnosis of pregnancy was studied in 30 ewes brought for slaughter at Municipal slaughter house, Thrissur. Ewes were examined using bimannual technique before slaughter and the findings of pre-slaughter examination were verified post-slaughter. Out of the 30 ewes examined, nine were found to be pregnant of which four were in advanced pregnancy diagnosed by abdominal palpation and rest of the five were diagnosed biinanually being early pregnant. Among the non-pregnants entire tubular reproductive tract were palpated in all of theirs irrespective of the body size and parity status. Among the 21 ewes both ovaries were palpated in 13 while at least one ovary in 19 and none of the ovaries palpated in two ewes. The findings were verified true and the method was found to be very effective in ewes for assessing the status of reproduction. Hence it is concluded that bimanual palpation provides a simple method for assessment of functional status of reproductive organs of ewes as in the case of goats reported earlier.