Zoubira  Bouzebda, Farida  Afri-Bouzebda, Djallel Eddine  Gherissi, 
    Gestational Age Estimation of Sahraoui Dromedary Camel Based on Fetomaternal
Measures and Phenotypic Characteristics,
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 16,Issue 2,
    2017,
    Pages 32-39,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2017.32.39,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2017.32.39)
    Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the chronological evolution of the fetal external features and
body measurements to monitoring the pregnant reproductive tract and placental dimensions for prediction of
gestational age in Sahraoui camel breed. The reproductive tracts of 34 gravid she-camels between 70-391 day
were collected and the following biometric parameters were recorded, i.e., LLUH, WLUH, LRUH, WRUH, LUB,
DCL, PL, PW, CRL, SH, BPD, HL, FL, ED and AC. The fetal biometric parameters were the best predictors of the
gestational age (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99, p&lt;0.001, Se<sub>pred</sub> = 2.40 day). However, the maternal and placental parameters were less
pred
accurate to fetal aging (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.89, p&lt;0.001, Se<sub>pred</sub> = 15.23 d ay a nd R<sup>2</sup> = 0.80, p&lt;0.001, Se<sub>pred</sub> = 12.37 days,
pred pred
respectively). According to the three periods of gestation the LH and LF had the most significant role in
predicting gestational age at the 1st third of pregnancy (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99, Se<sub>pred</sub> = 0.22 day, p&lt;0.001). At the 2nd third,
pred
the LH was the best predictor of gestational age (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99, Se<sub>pred</sub> = 2.14 day, p&lt;0.001) and at the last third of
pred
gestation the BPD was the most accurate (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.97, Se<sub>pred</sub> = 6.64 day, p&lt;0.001). The general stepwise regression
pred
formula including the BPD gave the most accurate prediction (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99, p&lt;0.001, Sepred = 1.24). The obtained
results can assist practitioners in the rapid fetal aging using ultrasound examination, on aborted camels at
prematurity and in scientific research on the reproduction and development of camels.
    Keywords: gestational age;fetus;camel;Biometry;placenta;uterus