Diagnostic ultrasonography is becoming widely used to image the gravid reproductive tract of cetaceans. Technological advances in instrumentation have led to significant improvements in image production and resolution making possible in depth investigation of fetal growth and well-being.

Real-time ultrasonography permits evaluation of fetal anatomy, fetal body motion, cardiac activity, and breathing movements as well as amniotic fluid quantity and quality. The information gained varies depending upon the stage of pregnancy and the clinical condition of the dolphin.

This presentation will discuss serial ultrasonography of four Tursiops truncatus pregnancies from 46 weeks to <1 week pre-partum. This study investigates variations in fete' growth, and positioning as well as the feasibility of developing a means of assessing fetal well-being with ultrasound including: fetal heart rate monitoring, biophysical profile testing and fetal response to external acoustic stimulation.