Power and pulsed Doppler evaluation of ovarian hemodynamic changes during diestrus in pregnant and nonpregnant bitches

Luteal tissue characteristics of Morada Nova ewes with hCG application 7.5 days after the end of estrus synchronization protocol in the breeding season

Results with the use of hCG after synchronization protocol are still inconsistent, which may vary according to breed, season, day of application and dose of the drug used. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functionality of luteal tissue and ovarian perfusion after hCG treatment during early luteal phase. Estrus-synchronized ewes were randomly assigned to receive i.m. injection of 300 IU of hCG (G-hCG; n = 40) or 1 mL of saline (G-Control; n = 32) on Day 7.5 after progesterone withdrawal. Ultrasonographic evaluations of the ovaries and ovarian and iliac arteries were performed on Days 7.5, 10.5, 13.5, and 21.5. The accessory corpus luteum (aCL) formation rate was 52.5% for G-hCG. There was interaction (p > 0.05) for treatment (G-hCG and G-Control), days (7.5, 10.5, 13.5 and 21.5) and PD (Pregnant and Non-pregnant) for the variables of biometric characteristics of the corpus luteum B-Mode and Color Doppler on days 7.5, 10.5, 13.5 and 21.5. There was no difference (p > 0.05) for pregnancy rates and mean fetuses per ewe between the treatment groups. It is concluded that the application of hCG 7.5 days after the hormonal protocol in Morada Nova ewes in a breeding season is efficient in inducing aCL formation and increasing luteal tissue biometry. However, there was no effect on pregnancy rate.

Characterization of Testicular Tumor Lesions in Dogs by Different Ultrasound Techniques

In this retrospective study, we assessed the accuracy of different blood flow imaging in diagnosing testicular tumor types in dogs. We recruited 27 dogs with leydigomas (14), seminomas (eight), sertoliomas (six), and mixed cells (five) confirmed histopathologically. In intact dogs, Pampiniform plexus and marginal arteries were scanned through pulsed Doppler. Blood flow and presence of intralesional/perilesional arteries were assessed by color and power Doppler, B-flow, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Tumor types did not differ by B-Mode ultrasonography characters. Pampiniform and testicular arteries of sertoliomas had higher (p < 0.05) pulsatility and resistive indexes. The proportion of leydigomas with a perilesional and/or perilesional/intralesional blood flow pattern detected by color and pulsed Doppler and B-flow was higher (p < 0.05) than that of the other tumors counted together. This resulted in a sensitivity of 81.8%, 83.3%, and 85.7%, a specificity of 76.5%, 56.3%, and 73.7%, and a correct classification rate of 78.6%, 67.9%, and 78.8%, respectively. While contrast enhanced ultrasound was highly effective in detecting all tumors, qualitative and quantitative parameters did not contribute to their differential diagnosis. In conclusion, results indicate that different testicular tumor types of dogs have subtly different vascular patterns, a condition that could help in identifying leydigomas.

Effect of aglepristone (RU534) administration during follicular phase on progesterone, estradiol-17β and LH serum concentrations in bitches

Aglepristone was administered in bitches during the follicular phase to evaluate its effects on progesterone, estradiol-17β and LH serum concentrations. Ten German Shepherds were divided into two groups (treated n = 5; control n = 5). Treated bitches received 10 mg/kg BW of aglepristone subcutaneously during the early follicular phase, 24 hr after and then 7 days later. The control group was injected, at the same time periods, with saline solution (0.3 ml/kg BW). For the steroid evaluations, blood was collected daily from the onset of proestrus until the first day of cytological dioestrus. For LH base-line serum determination, blood was also collected every 20 min for 2 hr at the onset of proestrus. For LH surge identification, blood was collected daily (every 6 hr) starting from the day of the first administration of aglepristone or saline solution until the first day of dioestrus. All animals ovulated but the treated group presented longer ovulation-dioestrus intervals than the control group (5.2 ± 2.2 days p < .05). Serum concentrations of the evaluated hormones were similar between experimental animals except for serum LH. Indeed, no LH peaks were detected in the treated group while LH surges were clearly observed in the control group (9 ± 1 days after the beginning of proestrus. In particular, the area under the curve for LH was significantly lower in treated than control animals (12 ± 4 ng/ml x Day; p = .01). In conclusion, administrations of aglepristone during the follicular phase of the bitch does not affect the steroid hormone patterns but does prevent the occurrence of a LH surge. This work raises significant questions and opens perspectives concerning the mechanisms of ovulation in bitches.

Serum progesterone concentration, volume, and apoptosis of corpora lutea in early, middle and late diestrus in the bitch

The aim was to study number, volume, apoptosis of corpora lutea (CL), and serum P₄ concentrations in early, middle, and late diestrus of dogs. Thirty-six bitches were ovari-hysterectomized (OVX): Early Diestrus (Group [G]1; OVX 20 days after end of estrus [DEH]); Mid-diestrus (GII; OVX between 21 and 40 days after DEH), and Late-diestrus (GIII; OVX between 41 and 60 days after DEH). Before OVX a blood sample was collected to quantify P₄. After OVX, the number of CL (NCL) was recorded, CL measured using both ultrasonography (US) and caliper (CAL), and the volume (mm³) was calculated. Based on abundances of caspase-3, apoptotic luteal cells were detected. Bitches in early-diestrus had greater P₄ concentrations than bitches in mid- and late-diestrus (23.52 ± 3.78 and 10.86 ± 3.88 ng/mL; P < 0.05). The NCL, cumulative USCLV, and CALCLV were similar among diestrus stages (P > 0.30). Bitches with CL (≥5) had twice the serum P₄ concentrations as bitches with CL1-2 and CL3-4 (22.71 ± 3.70 and 10.97 ± 4.06 ng/mL; P < 0.05). There were correlations between P₄ concentrations with USCLV, CALCLV, and NCL (r = 0.64, r = 0.67, r = 0.44; P < 0.0001). When serum P₄ concentrations were adjusted for stages of diestrus, however, there were only correlations during early diestrus. The percentage of apoptotic cells was greater in GIII compared with GI and GII (13.75 ± 2.26 % compared with 4.5 ± 0.68 % and 4.6 ± 1.5 %, respectively; P < 0.05). As days of diestrus increased, number of apoptotic cells increased, and serum P₄ concentrations decreased.

Advanced ultrasound techniques in small animal reproduction imaging

Ultrasonography is the imaging technology of choice for the evaluation of the reproduction system and of pregnancy in both humans and animals. Over the past 10 years, there have been significant technological improvements of the equipment, while new technologies have been developed. Doppler, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, elastography, and 3D/4D ultrasonography are advanced ultrasound techniques that have been designed as methods to increase the diagnostic sensitivity of two-dimensional (b-mode) ultrasound, and not as stand-alone tests. The basic physics as well as the advantages and limitations of these advanced ultrasound methods are briefly described. In the reproductive diagnostics of small animals, these techniques have gained an increased popularity as proved by the increased publication of several reports that are also briefly summarized in this review. Clinical applicability is to date limited because of a lack of research on the diagnostic value in concrete situations. Future research projects should focus also on standardization of the used techniques, on determination of thresholds to discriminate between healthy or diseases or fertile versus infertile and on the predictive value of advanced ultrasound findings. Continuing development and optimization of different ultrasound techniques as well as the increase of related scientific interest and worldwide research promises that the clinical interest on the use of advanced ultrasound techniques will increase in future.

Ultrasonography of the normal reproductive tract of the female domestic cat

The objective of this study was (1) to describe the US appearance and obtain reference values for the uterus and ovaries in nongravid and gravid queens with histologically confirmed reproductive tracts without disorders, (2) to provide US measurements of the reproductive tract compared to gross macroscopic and water-bath post-OVH US measurements in nongravid queens, and (3) to describe the sonographic appearance of the female reproductive tract during the different histopathologic phases of the reproductive cycle in nongravid and gravid queens. Ninety-three queens from a "trap, neuter, return" program were included in this study. Sonographic evaluation of the reproductive tract was performed in all queens, and measurements of the corpus uteri, uterine horns, and ovaries were recorded. Following OVH, macroscopic measurements were obtained, and a water-bath US evaluation of these tissues and measurements was recorded. Samples from the corpus uteri and both the uterine horns and ovaries were collected for histopathologic examination after all measurements had been recorded. Seventy-two reproductive tracts met the inclusion criteria by having a histopathologically confirmed normal reproductive tract. Sixty-three queens were nonpregnant and 9 were pregnant. The ovaries and uterus were sonographically visible in all queens regardless of reproductive status. The ovaries were ovoid in shape, and the uterus appeared as a tubular structure with distinct wall layers (serosa and indistinct myometrium and myometrium, or serosa, myometrium, and endometrium), with variable echogenicity of the inner layers. The layering of the uterine wall, observed during the second half of pregnancy, was described. Ovarian follicles were visible in 66/72 (92%) cats. However, the CL was only visible in 40/72 (55%) cats. The reference values of the left ovarian length, right ovarian length, uterine horn diameter, and uterine body are 7.1-13.9, 7.3-13.6, 1-5.8, and 1.5-5.3 mm, respectively, in a nongravid uterus. The uterine wall thickness during pregnancy varied from 2.4 to 6.8 mm. There was a significant positive correlation between US measurements obtained in vivo and those obtained macroscopically and in a water bath post-OVH. The body weight, follicular size, sonographic visibility of the uterine wall layering, the histopathologic luteal phase, and the active/inactive status on histopathology had a significant effect on the uterine measurements (p < 0.05). It was not possible to describe the exact US features of the reproductive tract during the different histopathologic phases. In conclusion, ultrasonographic reference values for the normal female reproductive tract in cats were determined. The results of this study indicated that the ovaries and uterus were visible in cats regardless of reproductive status.

The use of bipolar electrosurgical forceps for haemostasis in open surgical ovariectomy of bitches and queens and castration of dogs

OBJECTIVES

To describe a technique using bipolar electrosurgical forceps for haemostasis during open ovariectomy of bitches and queens and for castration of dogs and to determine whether these forceps reduced surgical time compared to ligation with suture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps were used for haemostasis in 3744 open surgeries including ovariectomies in bitches (n=1406) and queens (n=859) and castrations in dogs (n=1335). The forceps were also used to assist with ovariohysterectomy in bitches (n=89) and queens (n=55). The effect of bipolar electrocoagulation and other likely factors influencing surgical time was examined using linear regression analysis of 367 surgeries.

RESULTS

The use of the forceps reduced surgical time by 9·7 ±2·8 minutes in bitches and by 3·0 ±1·5 minutes in queens. The complications encountered initially were small superficial skin burns requiring topical treatment and one case of haemorrhage associated with surgical technique.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps reduce surgical time in ovariectomies, and complications are rare. This technique has promise for widespread application in veterinary practice to assist with haemostasis in ovariectomy of bitches and queens.

Use of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in reproductive medicine: a group consensus

With the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology, various reproductive disorders have been effectively addressed. Acupuncture-like therapies, including electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), become more popular world-wide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that EA and TEAS are effective in treating gynecological disorders, especially infertility. This present paper describes how to select acupoints for the treatment of infertility from the view of theories of traditional Chinese medicine and how to determine critical parameters of electric pulses of EA/TEAS based on results from animal and clinical studies. It summarizes the principles of clinical application of EA/TEAS in treating various kinds of reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pain induced by oocyte retrieval, diminished ovarian reserve, embryo transfer, and oligospermia/ asthenospermia. The possible underlying mechanisms mediating the therapeutic effects of EA/TEAS in reproductive medicine are also examined.

Ovarian and uterine periovulatory Doppler ultrasonography in bitches

This paper aims to describe the uterine and ovarian ultrasonographic characteristics and Doppler velocimetric features of their arteries in bitches during the periovulatory period. Fifteen estrous cycles in 10 animals were evaluated. The ultrasonographic characteristics, resistance indices (RI) and pulsatility indices (PI) of the uterus and ovaries in each animal were recorded 5 days before and after ovulation (D0). The data were statistically analyzed, and the results were expressed as the mean ± standard error of mean (P<0.05). In results the ultrasonographic features of the uterus were the same on all of the cycles and evaluated days. The uterus had an average diameter of 0.85±0.02cm. An increase in the volume of the ovaries and the diameter of the ovarian follicles were measured. Ovaries had a volume of 0.64±0.06cm³, and the follicles cavities had a diameter of 0.46 ± 0.01 cm on the day of ovulation. After ovulation, it was observed that some follicles not collapse in some cycles. Two days prior to ovulation, the uterine blood perfusion decreased. This decrease remained unchanged until ovulation. Following ovulation, we measured a gradual increase in the uterine perfusion and in the ovarian artery. This artery directed blood flow to the ovaries and increased the intra-ovarian perfusion on the day after ovulation. In conclusion, specific features are observed in the uterus and ovarian ultrasound image and Doppler values of their arteries presented on the periovulatory days and when associated allow to estimate more accurately the date of ovulation.