Early Prediction of Corpus Luteum Functionality Using an Imaging Software

Exploring Relationship Between Immunocompetence, HPA Axis Functioning and Performances of Preweaning Dairy Calves

Cortisol and DHEA(S) are markers of allostatic load and resilience; as such, they may be added to the definition of performance measures alongside immunocompetence. We aimed at studying the potential carryover effects of management practices on growth performances and the interrelationship between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immunocompetence and performances during the preweaning period in dairy calves. This study consisted of first a retrospective cohort study and second a prospective study. Calves had their growth performances and disease occurrence recorded, and their hair steroids (T1 at 20.03 ± 0.39 and T2 at 50.83 ± 0.41 days from birth) and plasmatic and colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured by immunoassays. The occurrence of preweaning diseases and the duration of individual housing negatively correlated to body weight (BW) at 60 days and the hair cortisol-to-DHEA(S) ratio (HC/HDHEA(S)) (T2) was negatively correlated to the daily weight gain (DWG) (-0.36; p < 0.05), plasmatic IgG (plaIgG) and the apparent efficiency of absorption (AEA) (-0.41; p < 0.01). Our results confirmed that the occurrence of diseases during the preweaning period and individual housing duration are pivotal for calves' growth. This prospective study highlighted a detrimental effect of allostatic load on immunocompetence and described a link between resilience and growth performances.

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.

Digital postprocessing analysis of prostatic perfusion in neutered dogs

B-mode ultrasound is routinely performed to evaluate the prostate gland in neutered dogs, although, the detection of malignancies may be challenging. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has shown to be useful for the assessment of prostatic perfusion in normal and diseased dogs, although the interpretation of contrast ultrasonographic features may still be subjective. A quantitative tool for evaluating prostatic perfusion might improve the reliability of the results in terms of early detection of prostate neoplasia in neutered dogs. The present study aimed to evaluate the applicability of a postprocessing analysis tool to CEUS of the prostate in healthy neutered dogs, to provide quantitative measurements, and to study the influence of individual characteristics on prostatic regression. Twenty-three neutered dogs underwent a B-mode and CEUS examination of the prostate to acquire data about prostatic morphology and microcirculation. The prostate was imaged using a 5-7.5 MHz linear transducer and contrast was administered intravenously. Videoclips were analyzed by using Qontrast software and a postprocessing digital analysis tool (ImageJ) to measure perfusion peak intensity, time to peak, and vascularization ratio at the moment of the peak, which were then related to body weight, age, and time elapsed since orchiectomy. Correlation tests revealed higher vascularization in younger compared with older dogs (P < .05) and in smaller compared with larger dogs (P < .05). Time elapsed since orchiectomy (P > .05) did not affect prostatic perfusion. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and the postprocessing analysis tool ImageJ allowed analysis of vascular perfusion in all dogs and have the potential to improve the diagnostic possibilities for andrological examination.