Current study assessed the reliability of transrectal ultrasonography (US; Aloka SSD 500) for assessment of presence and size of corpus luteum (CL), evaluated by non-skilled operator in ovaries (n = 58) from 29 hair sheep and compared with subsequent macroscopic (or postmortem; PM) evaluation. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value of the US technique to detect presence of luteal tissue in an ovary were 83.3, 97.1, 95.2 and 89.2%, respectively; and to determine the number of CL in ovaries (n = 21) with single ovulation were 85.7, 97.1, 94.7 and 89.2%, respectively. Sensitivity, dropped to 33.3%, in ovaries (n = 3) bearing more than one CL. There were not significant differences between mean diameters of CL, measured by US and PM. The number of CL with differences between US and PM measures, the range of error, varying between 0-20%, > 20- 30% and >30%, were 14 (77%), 2 (6%) and 4 (17%), respectively. These results indicate that US technique is an effective tool for determining both presence and size of luteal tissue in hair sheep with unknown stage of the reproductive cycle.
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