Correlations among antral follicular echotexture, apoptosis and expression of key steroidogenic enzymes in sheep

Inter-software reliability and agreement for follicular and luteal morphometric and echotextural ultrasonographic parameters in beef cattle

This study aimed to compare the inter-software and inter-observer reliability and agreement for the assessment of follicular and luteal morphometry and echotexture parameters in beef crossbreed females (3/8 Bos taurus indicus and 5/8 Bos taurus taurus). B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonographic ovarian images were obtained at specific time points of estradiol-progesterone-based protocols for timed artificial insemination (TAI). Sonograms were analyzed by two observers using a licensed (IASP1) and an open access (IASP2) software package. A total of 292 snap-shot sonograms were analyzed for morphometric parameters and 504 for echotexture parameters. inter-software reliability was judged moderate to excellent (ICC or CCC=0.73-0.98), whereas inter-observer reliability for morphometric parameters was deemed good to excellent (ICC or CCC=0.82-0.98). A small percentage (up to 10.95 %) of measured parameters fell outside the limits of inter-software and inter-observer agreement. For echotexture parameters, inter-software reliability varied widely (ICC or CCC=0.16-0.95) based on the size of regions of interest (ROI), while inter-observer reliability ranged from moderate to excellent (ICC or CCC= 0.71-0.97). The highest inter-software reliability for pixel value and heterogeneity value was observed for the corpus luteum (ICCs=0.81-0.95; P>0.05), followed by the peripheral follicular antrum (ICCs=0.75-0.78; P<0.05). However, lower reliability was determined for the follicular wall (ICCs=0.08-0.33; P<0.0001) and perifollicular stroma (ICCs=0.16-0.46; P<0.05). In conclusion, both software packages showed high reproducibility for morphometric measurements, while echotexture measurements were more challenging to replicate based on ROI sizes. Caution is advised when selecting ROI sizes for echotexture measurements in bovine ovaries.

Relationships of morphological and phototextural attributes of presumptive ovine zygotes and early embryos to their developmental competence in vitro: a preliminary assessment using time-lapse imaging

The assessment of morphology and digital image opacity may provide valuable information on the present embryo quality. Time-lapse imaging has been employed in research to establish a means of monitoring the dynamic nature of preimplantation embryo development. The aim of present study was to use time-lapse imaging for assessing various prospective morphometric and phototextural markers of the developmental potential of in vitro-derived ovine embryos. Oocytes were obtained by scarification of ovaries from nine Polish Longwool ewes. After in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) of oocytes with fresh ram semen, the development of embryos to the blastocyst stage was monitored and evaluated using Primo Vision time-lapse imaging technology. Commercially available Image-Pro^® Plus software was used to measure zona pellucida thickness, embryo diameter, total area of the perivitelline space, cellular grey-scale pixel intensity and cellular pixel heterogeneity. Statistical assessment of all attributes was done at various time points during embryo development (i.e., presumptive zygote stage: t(0); first cleavage detected at t(2) or t(3); and second cleavage detected at t(4) or t(6)). Out of thirty-seven zygotes analyzed in this study, five did not divide, 26 arrested before and six developed to the blastocyst stage. Our present results indicate that most parameters analyzed did not differ among embryos varying in their developmental fate except for the perivitelline space area that was greater (P<0.05) for non-dividing zygotes than future blastocysts at the presumptive zygote stage (4040±1850 vs. 857±262 µm², respectively; means±SEM). Consequently, the measurement of perivitelline space at t(0) can potentially be used to prognosticate developmental potential of in vitro-produced ovine embryos albeit further confirmational studies are needed.

Elastographic and echotextural characteristics of foetal lungs and liver during the final 5 days of intrauterine development in dogs

Objective was to evaluate the echotexture and characteristics during terminal development of canine foetal respiratory and hepatic systems through elastographic examinations. Fifteen pregnant bitches were evaluated by ultrasonography twice daily, from the 53rd gestational day until whelping, and images obtained from 120 to 0 h before parturition were analysed. Images of foetal lungs and liver were recorded and then used for computer-assisted analyses to determine quantitative attributes. Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastographic of internal organs were classified as 'soft' (white areas) or 'hard' (dark areas) and quantitative analyses determined the mean shear wave velocities (SWV) of foetal lungs and liver. After delivery, canine neonates were clinically evaluated, and their health status was monitored weekly until 60 days post-partum. Sonographic parameters over time were compared by ANOVA and Pearson's correlations were used to determine associations between SWVs and echotextural variables. Foetal lungs and liver had a homogeneous echotexture and pulmonary parenchyma appeared hyperechoic when compared with that of the liver. Mean numerical pixel values (NPVs) of lungs decreased from 120 to 24 h and subsequently increased until parturition (P = 0.04). Lungs and liver mean (± SD) SWVs (0.98 ± 0.12 and 0.84 ± 0.11 m/s, respectively) didn't vary (P >  0.05) over time. Fluctuations in pulmonary NPVs indicated there was a pattern corresponding to structural and functional changes that occur during the terminal stage of pre-natal canine development and hence can be a useful diagnostic tool in veterinary. Foetal lung and liver SWVs were relatively consistent and there was no detectable changes during the pre-partum period for this variable or in echotexture.