Pseudopregnancy in goats: Sonographic prevalence and associated risk factors in Khartoum State, Sudan

AIM: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in goats and to investigate potential risk factors associated with the condition in Khartoum State. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2015 to February 2016. A total of 378 female goats which presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, for routine ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis were examined. Ultrasound scanning was performed using a real-time scanner equipped with dual-frequency (3.5-5 MHz) curvilinear transducer. RESULTS: The results showed that the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in goats in Khartoum State was 10.6%. Risk factors such as general body condition (χ(2)=5.974; p=0.05), age (χ(2)=11.760; p=0.0129), type of estrus (χ(2)=12.794; p=0.000), and previous reproductive performance (χ(2)=13.397; p=0.020) showed significant association (p≤0.05) with the occurrence of pseudopregnancy in the univariate analysis. Breed (χ(2)=12.627; p=0.082), milk yield (χ(2)=5.951; p=0.114), type of feeding (χ(2)=1.721; p=0.190), season (χ(2)=2.661; p=0.264), locality (χ(2)=7.66; p=0.264), parity number (χ(2)=0.451; p=0.767), and rearing system (χ(2)=1.593; p=0.451) were not significantly associated with pseudopregnancy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pseudopregnancy in goats in Khartoum State was 10.6%. Pseudopregnancy in goats is significantly associated with age, type of estrus, general body condition, and previous reproductive performance. This study showed for the first time that pseudopregnancy is a real reproductive problem in goats in Khartoum State.