Abstract
To investigate the estrual changes of ovaries, appropriate time of mating, diagnosis of early pregnancy after mating, and diagnosis of twin fetuses, ultrasonography was performed in 61 thorough-bred mares (5-12 years old) which had been raised in Chrju island. The followings are the results obtained: 1. The average size of a follicle of mares was $3.2{\times} 3.8cm$ at the beginning of estrus and $4.2{\times} 3.5 cm$ from the middle of estrus to ovulations respectively, and the average size of a follicle and a corpus luteum was $1.8{\times} 1.4 cm and 3.1{\times}2.3 cm$ in the middle of diestrus, respectively. 2. In the result of pregnancy according to mating time after ultrasonographic examination of follicle size, the mares having a follicle of 4.6-5.0 cm (diameter) were mated on the day of ultrasonographic examination or the next day rind all were conceived (3 mares) and another mares having a follicle of 4.1- 4.5cm (diameter) on the 1st or 2nd day after examination and all were conceived (4 mares). 3. By ultrasonographyi early pregnancy in the mares was diagnosed from 12 days of pregnancy and the equine fetus was directly detectable from 23 days of pregnancy, whereas the heartbeat of a fetus was detectable from 28 days of pregnancy. 4. Diagnosis of earl pregnancy of twin was possible from 16 days of pregnancy. These result indicated that ultrasonography is applicable in mares to diagnose the estrual changes of ovaries and the time of ovulation or mating, and to diagnose early pregnancy from 12 days of pregnancy and early pregnancy of twin fetuses.