We usually use a sheep ultrasound machine to perform pregnancy tests on sheep. Newbies need to understand the test to ensure that the test subjects do not have stress reactions and the test results are accurate.

1. Equipment preparation

Equipment inspection: Before use, ensure that the B-ultrasound device functions normally, including battery charging, probe connection, display clarity, etc. Check whether the type of probe is suitable for the sheep's body size and test site.

Coupling agent: Prepare enough coupling agent for good contact between the probe and the skin to prevent air from interfering with the propagation of ultrasound.

2. Sheep preparation

Health status: Select healthy sheep without severe stress or disease for testing. Sick sheep or sheep with excessive stress may cause inaccurate test results.

Fixed position: Place the sheep in a safe and comfortable position to keep it quiet. Usually a standing or side-lying position is used. To prevent the sheep from moving during the test, its head and body can be gently fixed.

Hair treatment: Properly trim the hair at the test site (such as the abdomen or back) to ensure good contact between the probe and the skin and improve image clarity.

3. Selection of test site

Pregnancy test: usually tested on the abdomen, the test site is often selected in the anterior and posterior areas of the mammary gland or the ventral side. The probe should be facing the uterus to obtain an image of the embryo.

Back fat and eye muscle area test: if the back fat thickness or eye muscle area is tested, the probe should be placed at the 12th or 13th rib on the back to obtain relevant image data.

4. Operation technique

Probe angle: The angle and position of the probe should be adjusted according to the anatomical structure of the target area to ensure that a clear image can be obtained. For pregnancy testing, the probe should be pressed moderately on the abdominal skin and moved slowly to find the best image position.

Coupling agent application: Apply coupling agent evenly on the probe to avoid bubbles affecting the image quality. If necessary, a small amount of coupling agent can also be applied to the sheep skin.

Image adjustment: Use the adjustment functions of the ultrasound machine (such as gain, contrast, etc.) to optimize the image quality so that the gestational sac, embryo or other structures can be more accurately identified.

5. Sheep comfort and stress management

Gentle operation: Be as gentle as possible during the operation to avoid frightening or hurting the sheep. Keeping the sheep quiet and comfortable will help to obtain better test results.

Time control: Try to shorten the test time and reduce the sheep's stress response. If the sheep shows extreme restlessness or pain during the test, the operation should be suspended.

6. Post-test management

Recovery period: After the test, give the sheep enough time to rest. Ensure that the sheep can return to normal as soon as possible, especially in the case of pregnancy, avoid strenuous activities.

Record keeping: Record the test results in detail, including the sheep's number, test time, pregnancy status, backfat thickness, etc. These data are of great reference value for subsequent management and decision-making.

7. Environmental conditions

Suitable temperature: Ensure that the temperature of the test environment is suitable, avoid excessive cold or heat, especially when testing outdoors, consider the impact of environmental factors on sheep and equipment.

Cleanliness and hygiene: The test area should be kept clean, and the equipment and tools used should be disinfected regularly to prevent infection and disease transmission.

8. Operator professionalism

Technical proficiency: The operator should have professional skills and experience in using B-Ultrasound equipment, and be able to accurately judge and adjust images to ensure the reliability of the test results.

Image interpretation ability: The operator should have certain anatomical knowledge and be able to identify important structures in B-ultrasound images, such as gestational sac, fetus, back fat layer, etc.

Conclusion

When performing B-ultrasound testing on sheep, paying attention to equipment preparation, sheep status, operating skills, environmental conditions and the professional ability of the operator is the key to ensuring the success of the test. Through reasonable operation and scientific management, the accuracy and efficiency of B-ultrasound testing can be effectively improved, providing a reliable basis for breeding decisions.