ReviewFrontiers in veterinary science2026
Ultrasonographic fetal sex determination in large domestic animals: a comparative, mechanistic, and field-oriented synthesis.
Review in Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Ultrasonographic fetal sex determination is commonly used in livestock production to aid genetic selection, reproductive planning, and economic optimization. Despite consistently high diagnostic accuracies under controlled conditions, its use in field settings is variable and frequently unpredictable. This disparity is due to the combined effects of embryological development, species-specific anatomy, fetal positioning, operator expertise, and technical limitations. Objective: This review aims to provide a comparative and integrative synthesis of ultrasonographic fetal sex determination across major domestic species, bridging the gap between experimental performance and field applicability. Methods: A comprehensive analysis was conducted, combining published literature with extensive field experience with cattle, camels, horses, and buffaloes. The review is organized around three key dimensions: (i) biological timing of sexual differentiation, (ii) diagnostic visibility of ultrasonographic landmarks, and (iii) practical feasibility in field conditions. Results: Across species, the genital tubercle is the primary diagnostic landmark during early gestation; however, its visibility and diagnostic reliability vary depending on the species' developmental dynamics and imaging accessibility. One important finding is the distinction between diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic feasibility, with the latter emerging as the primary limitation in field conditions. According to comparative analysis, cattle provide the most consistent environment for early diagnosis, horses provide the broadest diagnostic window, camels present a narrow but precise window, and buffaloes are relatively under-characterized. Conclusion: Ultrasonographic fetal sex determination is a highly accurate but context-dependent tool, with success determined more by feasibility than diagnostic capability. The integration of emerging technologies, such as Doppler ultrasonography, three-dimensional imaging, and artificial intelligence, has the potential to improve consistency and reduce operator dependency. This review creates a unified framework that connects embryology, imaging, and field application, offering practical advice and defining priorities for future research in livestock reproduction.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.