The aim of this study was to describe the reproductive disorders related to experimental infection by artificial insemination with semen contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii of four goats in the chronic phase of the infection. In the end of the study, the does were submitted to necropsy, and PCR and histopathological evaluations were performed. Among infected does that exhibited embryonic loss, two were in anestrus and two exhibited repeated estrus. One of the latter animals exhibited clinical signs of estrus at seven-day intervals, whereas the other had a 21-day estrous cycle. However, both does were naturally mated on subsequent natural estrous and were not able to get pregnant until the end of the experiment (90 d). Two of the goats exhibited abnormalities in the ultrasound examinations, one of which was an ovarian cyst, while the other was a hydrosalpinx, both of which were confirmed in the post-mortem examination. The main microscopic injuries in this group were neutrophilic infiltration of the lungs, interstitial glomerulonephritis and neutrophilic infiltration of the liver. T. gondii DNA was found in the organs (heart and brain) of three does. In conclusion, does infected with Toxoplasma gondii in semen at the time of artificial insemination display reproductive disorders in the chronic phase of infection that might be associated with toxoplasmosis.

Objetivou-se descrever os distúrbios reprodutivos associados à infecção experimental por Toxoplasma gondii através da inseminação artificial com sêmen contaminado em quatro cabras no estágio crônico da infecção.As características do trato reprodutor foram avaliadas através de ultrassonografia transretal, visando o diagnóstico gestacional ou de desordens reprodutivas, após a infecção experimental.Ao final do experimento, os animais foram necropsiados e avaliações histopatológicas e PCR foram realizados.Dentre os animais infectados que exibiram mortalidade embrionária, duas apresentaram anestro e duas apresentaram repetição de estro, sendo que destas uma apresentou intervalos entre estros reduzido (sete dias) e outra em intervalo regular (21 dias).Todavia, ambas foram submetidas a monta natural durante os estros naturais subsequentes e não foi confirmada gestação até o final do experimento (90 dias).Duas cabras exibiram alterações nos exames de ultrassonografia, sendo identificadas um cisto ovariano, e uma hidrossalpinge, ambas confirmadas no exame post-mortem.As principais lesões microscópicas nesse grupo foram infiltração neutrofílica dos pulmões, glomerulonefrite

A study was conducted to verify the presence of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas DNA in sheep semen samples from the State of Pernambuco. The PCR assay was conducted of according with standard protocols with generic primers. Mollicutes DNA was detected in 26.0% and Ureaplasma spp. in 12.0% of semen samples.

Objetivou-se com esse estudo detectar o DNA genômico de T. gondii em amostras de testículo e epidídimo de ovinos comercializados em abatedouros do Estado de Pernambuco Região Nordeste do Brasil. Foram coletadas 50 amostras de soro sanguíneo, 50 amostras de testículos e 50 de epidídimos. Para a triagem dos animais foi utilizada a técnica de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) e posteriormente empregou-se a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) nos animais positivos na sorologia. Observou-se 24% (12/50) dos animais positivos na RIFI e o DNA genômico foi detectado no epidídimo em 8,3% (1/12) das amostras. A identidade molecular dos produtos amplificados foi confirmada por sequenciamento. Relata-se a primeira ocorrência da presença do DNA de T. gondii em órgãos do sistema reprodutivo de carneiros naturalmente infectados no Brasil.

The objective was to characterize the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in goats experimentally infected vaginally with semen contaminated with the CPG strain (genotype III). Ten female goats were randomly allocated into 2 groups (G1 and G2), each with 5 animals, and inseminated during estrus. Goats in G1 were inseminated with semen containing 1 × 10(5) tachyzoites, whereas those in G2 (control) were inseminated with semen free from tachyzoites (insemination = day 0). In G1, seroconversion (indirect immunofluorescence reaction) and DNA (polymerase chain reaction) in the blood was present in 4/5 and 3/5, respectively, from the 7th day. In G2, all goats were negative in all tests. Embryonic reabsorption occurred in 4 of 5 goats from G1 between days 21 and 49. In conclusion, artificial vaginal insemination with semen containing tachyzoites of T. gondii -infected goats and is a potential transmission route of this parasite through semen.

The aim of the study was to detect genomic DNA of Toxoplasma gondii in testicle and epididymis samples from rams sold in abattoirs in the state of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. Fifty (50) blood serum samples were collected, as well as 50 testicle and epididymis samples. Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) was used during screening of the rams. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used with animals that were positive in serology. Our results confirmed that 24% (12/50) of the rams were positive in IIF. Genomic DNA was detected in the epididymis at 8.3% (1/12) of the animals. The molecular identity of the amplified products was confirmed through sequencing. This paper reports the first occurrence of T. gondii DNA in the reproductive organs of naturally infected rams in Brazil.

ABSTRACT. de Moraes E.P.B.X., Freitas A.C., Costa M.M., PinheiroJr J.W. & Mota R.A. [Nested PCR utilization for Toxoplasma gondii detection in the blood of experimentally infected sheep]. Utilizacao da PCR nested para deteccao de Toxoplasma gondii no sangue de ovelhas experimentalmente infectadas. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 35(4):329-334, 2013. Laboratorio de Doencas Infecto-Contagiosas dos Animais Domesticos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmaos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brasil. E-mail: ericaxmoraes@globo.com The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of the PCR and nested PCR for T. gondii detection in the blood of experimentally infected sheep with tachyzoites through the semen. Blood samples of 41 sheep were taken, which were infected with different dosages: G1 - 6.5 X 104 tachyzoites; G2- 4 X 107 tachyzoites and G3- control group. For the anti-T.gondii antibodies research the Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) technique was used. For the PCR and nested PCR, primers derived from B1 gene were used. Seroconversion was observed only for the infected group. In the PCR, T. gondii DNA was detected in 40% of the infected sheep blood samples, and in the nested PCR, in 93.3% of the samples. In the G3, no antibodies were detected, as well as parasitic DNA in neither of the animals. It is possible to conclude that the nested PCR is more sensitive for the T. gondii detection in the blood of animals experimentally infected through the semen, presenting superior results in comparison to those of the PCR and might be successfully used in studies like this one.

The aim of this research was to study the contribution of Toxoplasma gondii to reproductive failure using nested PCR and histopathological examination of fetuses, stillborns and placentas. We examined 245 organs of fetuses and 28 placentas from 35 abortions and stillborns from naturally occurring miscarriages in sheep in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. At necropsy, fragments of brain, cerebellum, medulla, lung, heart, spleen, liver and placenta were taken for nested PCR and histopathological tests. Pathological examination revealed macroscopic lesions, suggesting T. gondii infection in 5/35 (14.3%) of the placentas. The histopathological examination revealed no lesions characteristic of toxoplasmosis in the organs investigated. In the five placentas, lesions consistent with toxoplasmosis were observed as an inflammatory non-suppurative infiltrate, along with multiple necrosis and mineralization. Nested PCR showed three aborted fetuses and two stillborns (14.3%) to test positive for T. gondii, with DNA amplification in all organs and the placenta, especially the heart and the placenta, which are the tissues of choice. This study substantiates the theory that T. gondii is involved in miscarriages and stillbirths and in the placentas of naturally infected sheep in Brazil. Such findings have not previously been described in the national literature.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that affects reproductive performance in small ruminants. Although the T. gondii life cycle is well understood since 1960s, several aspects related to its infection remain unclear. In the present study we hypothesized that sheep inseminated with T. gondii-contaminated semen would develop toxoplasmosis. In order to test that hypothesis, 41 sheep were experimentally infected with semen spiked with the organism. Females were divided in three groups (G1-G3): (a) females in G1 group were inseminated with semen containing 6.5 x 10(4) tachyzoites; (b) females in G2 group with semen containing 4 x 10(7) tachyzoites; and (c) females in G3 group with tachyzoite-free semen (control group). To confirm T. gondii infection via semen, serological tests were performed using indirect immunofluorescence reaction and the detection of parasite DNA in the blood stream using the nested PCR test. While in G1 group only 5/15 (33.3%) of the females presented seroconversion, all sheep in G2 15/15 (100%) seroconverted. The nested PCR test showed that 14/15 (93.3%) of the females in the G1 and 14/15 (93.3%) in the G2 group were positive for T. gondii while in the G3 group all samples were negative. In addition, ultra-sound test evidenced that in sheep presented embryonic reabsorption in animals from the infected groups. In conclusion, insemination using fresh semen experimentally contaminated with different infectant doses of T. gondii tachyzoites was able to infect sheep, leading to the possibility of toxoplasmosis transmission via semen.

This study was evaluated, by transretal ultrasound, the embryonic-fetal development from days 15th to 45th of gestation visualizing the first signs of gestation in 60 Sant Ines ewes. The identification of the earliest and the latest parameters of evaluation were performed between days 15th to 19th (16.7 ± 1,3) of pregnancy for intra-uterine fluid, . embryonic vesicle between days 16th to 22th (18.6 ± 1.4), embryo between 18th to 26th (22.8 ± 1.9), placentoms between 20th to 29th (25.1 ± 2.0), heartbeat between days 24th to 29th (25.9 ± 1.4), amniotic membrane between 24th to 32th (27.4 ± 1.8), head and upper body differentiation between 30th to 37th (33.4 ± 2.2), fetus movement between 30th to 38th (34.2 ± 2.0), umbilical cord between 32th to 39th (35.1 ± 1.5), button of the anterior and posterior members between 34th to 39th (36.7 ± 1.5) and ocular globe between days 39th to 43th (40.9 ± 1.2). It was concluded that the first signs of gestation can be identified as soon as day 15th days of gestation. However, it is wise diagnosing pregnancy after day 24th, when it is possible to visualize the fetus and the heart beat.

This study was evaluated, by transretal ultrasound, the embryonic-fetal development from days 15th to 45th of gestation visualizing the first signs of gestation in 60 Sant Inês ewes. The identification of the earliest and the latest parameters of evaluation were performed between days 15th to 19th (16.7 ± 1,3) of pregnancy for intra-uterine fluid, . embryonic vesicle between days 16th to 22th (18.6 ± 1.4), embryo between 18th to 26th (22.8 ± 1.9), placentoms between 20th to 29th (25.1 ± 2.0), heartbeat between days 24th to 29th (25.9 ± 1.4), amniotic membrane between 24th to 32th (27.4 ± 1.8), head and upper body differentiation between 30th to 37th (33.4 ± 2.2), fetus movement between 30th to 38th (34.2 ± 2.0), umbilical cord between 32th to 39th (35.1 ± 1.5), button of the anterior and posterior members between 34th to 39th (36.7 ± 1.5) and ocular globe between days 39th to 43th (40.9 ± 1.2). It was concluded that the first signs of gestation can be identified as soon as day 15th days of gestation. However, it is wise diagnosing pregnancy after day 24th, when it is possible to visualize the fetus and the heart beat. Avaliou-se, por ultra-sonografia transretal, o desenvolvimento embrionário-fetal de ovinos Santa Inês, identificando o dia da primeira visualização dos principais parâmetros da gestação de 60 ovelhas entre o 15° e o 45° dia de gestação. A identificação mais precoce e mais tardia dos parâmetros avaliados ocorreu entre os dias 15 e 19 (16,7 ± 1,3) da gestação para líquido intra-uterino, 16 e 22 (18,6 ± 1,4) para vesícula embrionária, 18 e 26 (22,8 ± 1,9) para embrião, 20 e 29 (25,1 ± 2,0) para placentomas, 24 e 29 (25,9 ± 1,4) para batimento cardíaco, 24 e 32 (27,4 ± 1,8) para membrana amniótica, 30 e 37 (33,4 ± 2,2) para diferenciação entre cabeça e tronco, 30 e 38 (34,2 ± 2,0) para movimento do feto, 32 e 39 (35,1 ± 1,5) para cordão umbilical, 34 e 39 (36,7 ± 1,5) para botão dos membros anteriores e posteriores e entre os dias 39 e 43 (40,9 ± 1,2) para globo ocular. Conclui-se que é possível identificar os primeiros sinais de gestação já no 15º dia, todavia, é prudente que o diagnóstico de gestação somente seja emitido a partir do 24º dia, quando é possível visualizar o embrião e seus batimentos cardíacos.

Com este estudo, procurou-se determinar, pela ultrasonografia, o período de migração do tubérculo genital (TG) para estabelecimento do momento ideal de sexagem de fetos das raças Damara, Santa Inês e 3/4 Damara-Santa Inês (¾ D-SI). Os exames foram realizados do 30º. ao 60º. dia de prenhez, em intervalos de 24 horas, por via transretal, utilizando-se transdutor linear de dupla freqüência (6,0 e 8,0 MHz). A migração do TG variou de 38 a 51 dias nos fetos da raça Damara, 37 a 46 dias naqueles da raça Santa Inês e de 36 a 45 dias nos fetos ¾ D-SI, perfazendo uma média de 45,0 ± 3,0 dias na raça Damara, de 42,0 ± 2,0 dias na Santa Inês e de 39,2 ± 2,3 dias nos fetos ¾ D-SI. O valor médio da migração do TG é mais precoce (P < 0,05) nos fetos ¾ D-SI do que nos das raças Damara e Santa Inês e mais tardia (P < 0,05) nos da raça Damara do que nos da raça Santa Inês. A acurácia da sexagem fetal nas gestações simples (100%) foi maior (P < 0,05) do que nas gestações duplas (88,5%). Os resultados permitem concluir que a migração do TG é diferente entre os fetos das raças Damara, Santa Inês e ¾ D-SI, que o período ideal de sexagem dessas raças é a partir do 50º dia de gestação e que gestações duplas comprometem a acurácia do exame ultra-sonográfico. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Bolsa escrotal, prepúcio, tetas, ultra-sonografia, vulva The objective was to determine the genital tubercle (GT) migration period to establish the ideal timing for sexing fetus from Damara, Santa Inês and 3/4 crossbred Damara-Santa Inês (¾ D-SI) breeds by ultrasound. The transrectal ultrasound was performed with a double frequency linear transducer (6.0 and 8.0 MHz) every 24 hours from day 30 to day 60 of pregnancy. The GT migration period ranged from 38 to 51 days in Damara fetus, 37 to 46 days in Santa Inês fetus and from 36 to 45 days in ¾ SI-D fetus. The mean GT migration period was 45.0 ± 3.0, 42.0 ± 2.0 and 39.2 ± 2.3 days for Damara, Santa Inês and ¾ D-SI fetus, respectively. There was a breed difference on GT migration period. It was earlier (P < 0.05) for ¾ D-SI fetus than Damara and Santa Inês fetus and it was later (P < 0.05) for fetus from the breed Damara as compared to Santa Inês fetus. The accuracy of fetus sexing in single pregnancies (100%) was higher than (P < 0.05) double pregnancies (88.5%). In conclusion, the GT migration period differs among Damara, Santa Inês and ¾ D-SI breeds. Moreover, the ideal time for sexing fetus from these breeds is from day 50 of pregnancy and the accuracy of the ultrasound examination is compromised by double pregnancies. KEY WORDS: Genital swelling, nipples, prepuce, scrotal bag, ultra-sonography.

Objective - To define the optimum period for sexing of Saanen goat fetuses by use of transrectal ultrasonography. Animals - 82 Saanen goats pregnant with 124 fetuses. Procedures - Fetal sexing was performed on the basis of the final location of the genital tubercle or identification of external genitalia. In experiment 1, fetuses (n = 78) were monitored every 48 hours from days 40 to 60 of gestation, whereas for experiment 2, 46 fetuses were examined only once between days 47 and 77 of gestation. Results - For experiment 1, accuracy of fetal sexing was 20 of 20 (100%) for a single fetus, 39 of 42 (92.8%) for twin fetuses, and 10 of 16 (62.5%) for triplet fetuses. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly lower for triplet fetuses than that for single or twin fetuses. Final location of the genital tubercle was detected between 45 and 55 days of gestation (mean SEM, 48.9 +/- 1.8 days). For experiment 2, accuracy of fetal sexing for a single fetus (24/24 [100%]) was significantly higher than the accuracy for twin fetuses (16/22 [72.7%]) Considering all fetuses that were born, accuracy of diagnosis was 69 of 78 (88.4%) for experiment 1 and 40 of 46 (86.9%) for experiment 2. Accuracy did not differ significantly between experiments. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Real-time ultrasonography after day 55 of gestation is a suitable method for determination of sex of Saanen goat fetuses by observation of the genital tubercle or identification of external genitalia.

The objective was to determine the genital tubercle (GT) migration period to establish the ideal timing for sexing fetus from Damara, Santa Ines and 3/4 crossbred Damara-Santa Ines (¾ D-SI) breeds by ultrasound. The transrectal ultrasound was performed with a double frequency linear transducer (6.0 and 8.0 MHz) every 24 hours from day 30 to day 60 of pregnancy. The GT migration period ranged from 38 to 51 days in Damara fetus, 37 to 46 days in Santa Ines fetus and from 36 to 45 days in ¾ SI-D fetus. The mean GT migration period was 45.0 ± 3.0, 42.0 ± 2.0 and 39.2 ± 2.3 days for Damara, Santa Ines and ¾ D-SI fetus, respectively. There was a breed difference on GT migration period. It was earlier (P < 0.05) for ¾ D-SI fetus than Damara and Santa Ines fetus and it was later (P < 0.05) for fetus from the breed Damara as compared to Santa Ines fetus. The accuracy of fetus sexing in single pregnancies (100%) was higher than (P < 0.05) double pregnancies (88.5%). In conclusion, the GT migration period differs among Damara, Santa Ines and ¾ D-SI breeds. Moreover, the ideal time for sexing fetus from these breeds is from day 50 of pregnancy and the accuracy of the ultrasound examination is compromised by double pregnancies. KEY WORDS: Genital swelling, nipples, prepuce, scrotal bag, ultra-sonography.

Neste trabalho objetivou-se diagnosticar precoce¬mente o sexo de fetos caprinos da raça Alpina Americana através da ultra-sonografia, identificando-se a posição final do tubérculo genital (TG) ou visualizando-se as estruturas anatômicas da genitália externa, bem como avaliar a acu¬rácia da sexagem fetal resultante de exame único ou repe¬tido. No Grupo I (GI), identificou-se o sexo levando-se em consideração o posicionamento final do TG, e no Grupo II (GII) a presença de estruturas anatômicas da genitália externa. Realizaram-se os exames por via transretal com aparelho de ultra-som (240 Parus - Pie Medical) equipado com transdutor linear de 6 e 8 MHz. No GI, 52 fetos de 32 matrizes foram monitorados em intervalos de doze horas, do 40º ao 60º dia de gestação. No GII, submeteram-se 34 fetos de 24 matrizes com gestação entre 45 e 70 dias a exame único. A acurácia da sexagem no GI foi de 100% na gestação simples, 87,5% na dupla e 66,7% na tríplice, sen¬do registrada diferença significativa (P < 0,05) entre gesta¬ção simples e tríplice. No GII, a acurácia foi de 85,7% na gestação simples e de 80,0% na dupla, não sendo obser¬vada diferença (P > 0,05) entre ambas. A migração do TG genital ocorreu, em média, no 46,4 ± 2,1 dia de gestação. Os resultados permitem concluir que a ultra-sonografia é um método apropriado para diagnosticar precocemente o sexo fetal através da identificação da posição final do TG ou da visualização de estruturas anatômicas da genitália externa e que exames repetidos não aumentam a acurácia da sexagem fetal na gestação múltipla. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Bolsa escrotal, prepúcio, tetas, vulva. The aim of this study was to diagnostic previously the gender of American Alpine fetuses by ultrasonography identifying the final position of the genital tubercle (GT) or viewing the anatomical structures of external genitalia, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of fetal sexing by single or repeated exams. In Group I (GI), the gender was defined by the final position of the GT and in Group II (GII) by the anatomical structures of external genitalia. The exami¬nations were carried out with an ultrasound device by via transrectal equipped with a linear transducer with 6.0 and 8.0 MHz. In GI, 52 fetuses of 32 goats were monitored each 12 hours, from 40th to the 60th day of pregnancy. In GII, the examination was performed only once in 34 fetuses of 24 goats with pregnancy between 45 and 70 days. The accuracy in GI was 100% in single, 87.5% in twin and 66.7% in triple pregnancy, with significant difference (P < 0.05) between single and triplet pregnancies. In GII, the accuracy was 85.7% in single and 80.0% in twin pregnancy, without significant difference (P > 0.05) between single and twin pregnancies. The final migration of GT occured on the 46.4 ± 2.1 days of pregnancy. The results allow to conclude that ultrasonography is a suitable method to early diagnostic the fetal sex by visualization of final position of GT or by identification of external genitalia structures and that repeated exams did not increase the accuracy of fetal sexing on the multiple pregnancy. KEY-WORDS: Nipples, prepuce, scrotal bag, vulva

The aim of this study was to diagnostic previously the gender of American Alpine fetuses by ultrasonography identifying the final position of the genital tubercle (GT) or viewing the anatomical structures of external genitalia, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of fetal sexing by single or repeated exams. In Group I (GI), the gender was defined by the final position of the GT and in Group II (GII) by the anatomical structures of external genitalia. The exami¬nations were carried out with an ultrasound device by via transrectal equipped with a linear transducer with 6.0 and 8.0 MHz. In GI, 52 fetuses of 32 goats were monitored each 12 hours, from 40th to the 60th day of pregnancy. In GII, the examination was performed only once in 34 fetuses of 24 goats with pregnancy between 45 and 70 days. The accuracy in GI was 100% in single, 87.5% in twin and 66.7% in triple pregnancy, with significant difference (P 0.05) between single and twin pregnancies. The final migration of GT occured on the 46.4 ± 2.1 days of pregnancy. The results allow to conclude that ultrasonography is a suitable method to early diagnostic the fetal sex by visualization of final position of GT or by identification of external genitalia structures and that repeated exams did not increase the accuracy of fetal sexing on the multiple pregnancy. KEY-WORDS: Nipples, prepuce, scrotal bag, vulva

O presente estudo teve a finalidade de identificar o sexo e de determinar o dia da migração do tubérculo genital (TG) de fetos ovinos através da ultra-sonografia em tempo real. O sexo foi identificado no Experimento I (EI) levando-se em consideração a localização do TG e no Experimento II (EII), a presença do pênis, prepúcio e bolsa escrotal no feto macho e das tetas, vulva e clitóris no feto fêmea. No EI, as fêmeas (n=17) foram monitoradas em intervalos de 12 horas, do 35o ao 46o dia de gestação, por via transretal com transdutor linear (6,0 e 8,0 MHz). No EII, as fêmeas (n=30) com gestação de 55 a 75 dias foram examinadas apenas uma vez, utilizando-se o mesmo transdutor e via de exame do EI. Das 17 fêmeas do EI, 11 (64,6%) tiveram seus fetos corretamente sexados, independente da gestação ter sido simples (7/11), dupla (3/11) ou tríplice (1/11). Nas 6 (35,4%) gestações restantes, 3 (17,7%) foram duplas, sendo impossível sexar um feto de cada gestação. Nas outras 3 (17,7%) gestações, os fetos foram corretamente sexados, apesar dos nascimentos não coincidirem com a quantificação. Num feto macho de uma gestação simples, a migração ocorreu no 37° dia e até o 46°, todos os fetos das outras gestações estavam corretamente sexados. Das 30 fêmeas do EII, 16 (53,4%) apresentaram gestações simples e a acurácia da sexagem foi de 100%. Nas 14 (46,6%) restantes, as gestações foram duplas, sendo impossível, em quatro casos, determinar o sexo de, pelo menos, um dos gêmeos. De todos os fetos nascidos, a acurácia geral da sexagem foi de 88,0% (EI) e 90,9% (EII), não sendo observada diferença (P>0,05) entre ambos os experimentos. Os resultados permitem concluir que a ultra-sonografia em tempo real é um método eficiente para diagnosticar o sexo fetal pela visualização do TG, assim como pela identificação do pênis, prepúcio e bolsa escrotal no feto macho e das tetas, vulva e clitóris no feto fêmea, desde que os exames sejam realizados a partir do 50o dia de gestação.

ln this work the objective was to identify the fetal sex in pregnant uterus, between 5 and 10 weeks of gestation, of goats and ewes obtained in slaughterhouses. The sex was defined taking into consideration the localization of the genital tubercle (GT) and visualization of external genitalia. The uterus of goats (n =108) and ewes (n = 64) were examined after immersion in a water containing recipient, with 6.0 and 8.0 MHz linear transducer. In single pregnancies, the correct fetal determination was 85.7% (48/56) in goats and 94.7% (36/38) in ewes and in twin pregnancies it was 76.9% (40/52) in goats and 84.6% (22/26) in ewes. There were no mistakes in fetal quantification and the accuracy of all fetuses scanned was of 81.5% (88/108) in goats and 90.6% (58/64) in ewes, not being observed difference (P > 0.05) between species, by analysis of standard errors of the difference between proportions. The results allow to conclude that the ultrasonography is efficient to previously identify the fetal sex in small ruminants and that the experience of the operator is important to minimize and even eliminate the failures in diagnose.