A REVIEW ON PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS IN THE OLD WORLD CAMELIDS.

The induced ovulatory nature and low breeding efficiency of camels makes it much important to have timely pregnancy diagnosis so that measures could be implemented to make them pregnant as soon as possible. The managemental methods of pregnancy diagnosis include response to male and persistent raised tail (tail reflex). Clinical method involves rectal palpation (palpation of corpus luteum, palpable uterine swelling following one month of breeding among bactrian camels and 8 weeks onwards among dromedary camels, foetal skeleton palpation from 2.5 to 3.0 months and then after 6-7 months onward and other uterine changes), vaginal examination (mucous membrane and cervical plug examination) and ultrasonography (examination of corpus luteum, echoic embryo surrounded by non-echoic fluid and heart beat following 25 days of pregnancy). Laboratory methods involve hormone estimation (progesterone, oestradiol 17β, PGFA, relaxin, thyroid and testosterone), cervical mucus examination for changes in its pH to alkaline side, increased viscosity and specific gravity, chemical methods including Cuboni's test for increased oestrone sulphate and barium chloride test etc. where sure positive reactions of Cuboni's test are expected during final third of pregnancy among bactrian camels and during second third pregnancy among dromedary camels. The most practical, instant diagnosis oriented and accurate approach among all is ultrasonography. Few recent advanced techniques like pregnancy-associated glycosylation changes of human IgG have also been introduced to carry out pregnancy diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]