ABSTRACT:Early detection of fetal distress at lambing is essential to reduce mortality. Practicality and accuracy of pulse oximetry to assess oxygenation status in newborn lambs under field conditions was evaluated. Oximetry was compared with blood gas analyses and included assessment of vitality (Apgar test) and vigour (attempt to and successful standing and suckling) of 135 Finnish by Polwarth lambs. Sampling of data was obtained immediately after fetal expulsion; percentage of oxygen saturation (satO2) was measured using a pulse oximeter clamped to an ear, and was compared with gas analyses variables measured from a jugular vein sample (Gas Analyser:SiemensRapidlab 248®). Correlations between satO2 measured by pulse oximetry and venous blood gas parameters either directly (partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and pH) or estimated (bicarbonate concentration, extracellular fluid base excess, and oxygen saturation) were studied. Considering pH as a good indicator of hypoxia at parturition, data was grouped as:G1 = pH