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Pinzón-Osorio CA, Machado MA, Camozzato JNB, Dos Santos Velho G, Dalto AGC, Rovani MT, de Oliveira FC, Bertolini M. Inter-software reliability and agreement for follicular and luteal morphometric and echotextural ultrasonographic parameters in beef cattle. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 267:107518. [PMID: 38889613 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Augusto Pinzón-Osorio
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Julia Nobre Blank Camozzato
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Dos Santos Velho
- Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - André Gustavo Cabrera Dalto
- Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Monique Tomazele Rovani
- Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernando Caetano de Oliveira
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bertolini
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Spada S, Arlt S, De Felice D, England GCW, Russo M. Digital postprocessing analysis of prostatic perfusion in neutered dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2024; 65:208-218. [PMID: 38363188 DOI: 10.1111/vru.13343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Spada
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sebastian Arlt
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela De Felice
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gary C W England
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Marco Russo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Kanazawa T, Seki M, Iga K. Early pregnancy diagnosis based on luteal morphology and blood flow on Days 17–21 post-artificial insemination in Japanese Black cattle. Theriogenology 2022; 181:69-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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