Urine-based pregnancy diagnosis in goat (capra hircus) using different levels of barium chloride

Efficient reproduction management is an important factor in any livestock production. Early detection helps reduce production losses, enables timely administration of optimal nutrition, and minimizes the risk of pregnancy-related metabolic disorders. Although laboratory assays and diagnostic techniques are available, they often require specialized equipment and highly skilled personnel, limiting their use in resource-constrained settings. In this context, the use of a non-invasive pregnancy detection method using barium chloride (BaCl₂) as a test solution is being evaluated as a practical and field-applicable alternative. The efficiency of determining pregnancy in 36 heads of Philippine Native goats was carried out at different levels (1.5g, 2.5g, 3.5g, and 4.5g). The time consumed before the formation of precipitate occurs (sec) was evaluated. The result shows that regardless of BaCl2 concentration, pregnancy can be positively detected. However, from Week 1 to Week 7, highly significant differences between treatments were observed (p<0.01); with 4.5g concentration recorded the shortest period at 1 sec before precipitate is formed. The result is verified by the ultrasound diagnosis at 100% rate. Therefore, utilizing BaCl2 to detect early-stage pregnancy in goats using urine is an effective, low-cost procedure with better accuracy as compared to doppler ultrasound diagnosis.