Determinazione della data del parto nel tursiope (Tursiops truncatus) mediante monitoraggio ecografico ed ormonale

Pregnancy can be diagnosed in bottlenose dolphins by using several methods: increased abdominal roundness, mammary gland development, straining and body flexion in late pregnancy, serum progesterone concentrations and ultrasonographic monitoring. In order to attempt an integrated approach to the study of Tursiops truncatus pregnancy we report hormonal, ultrasonographic and behaviour monthly observations in a female housed in Palablù dolphinarium of Gardaland (VR). Plasmatic progesterone levels, obtained by blood samples rise in first week after observed conception, stay high during the pregnancy and decrease in the last 4 months. Ultrasonographic exam was performed in order to confirm pregnancy and to follow foetal development. Expected delivery date was predicted from ultrasonographic measurements with a mathematical growth model. Data obtained confirm the usefulness of ultrasonography, non invasive technique, associated with hormonal evaluation, for pregnancy diagnosis and foetal growth monitoring in Tursiops truncatus.