Optical density changes in ultrasonographic images of the endometrium and corpus luteum in pregnant and cyclic cows
Optical density image (ODI) analysis, based on the intensity of pixels in digital images, is commonly used in orthopedic medicine. This study was conducted to quantify endometrial and luteal changes in early pregnant and cyclic cows by ODI analysis. Twenty healthy primiparous Simmental cows on days 80?120 postpartum were subjected to ultrasonography and ODI analysis on the days of estrus (day 0) and metestrus (day 4) as well as 12, 15, 18, and 21 days after insemination. The ODI values of pregnant (P) and nonpregnant (NP) cows were compared using two-way ANOVA. The P cows tended to have greater endometrial OD values than NP cows (772.2 vs. 740.5, P < 0.08), but their luteal OD values were similar (596.0 ± 24). Both endometrial and luteal OD values varied over time in different patterns in P and NP cows in relation to gestational events until confirmation. In conclusion, preliminary data, especially endometrial OD values on day 15 relative to insemination, could have prognostic merit for a very early detection or confirmation of pregnancy. ODI analysis can be incorporated into ultrasonographic examination. However, more comprehensive experiments are needed to assure the prognostic value of ODI analysis.
___
- Palmer E, Driancourt MA. Use of ultrasonic echography in
equine gynecology. Theriogenology 1980; 13: 203-216.
- Kauffold J, Althouse GC. An update on the use of B-mode
ultrasonography in female pig reproduction. Theriogenology
2007; 67: 901-911.
- Köker A, İnce D, Sezik M. The accuracy of transvaginal
ultrasonography for early pregnancy diagnosis in Saanen goats:
a pilot study. Small Ruminant Res 2012; 105: 277-281.
- Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Jewgenow K, Göritz F.
Ultrasonography as an important tool for the development
and application of reproductive technologies in non-domestic
species. Theriogenology 2000; 53: 73-84.
- Fissore RA, Edmondson AJ, Pashen RL, Bondurant RH. The
use of ultrasonography for the study of the bovine reproductive
tract. II. Non-pregnant, pregnant and pathological conditions
of the uterus. Anim Reprod Sci 1986; 12: 167-177.
- Sirois J, Fortune JE. Ovarian follicular dynamics during the
estrous cycle in heifers monitored by real-time ultrasonography.
Biol Reprod 1988; 39: 308-317.
- Pierson RA, Ginther OJ. Ultrasonographic appearance of the
bovine uterus during the estrous cycle. J Am Vet Med A 1987;
190: 995-1001.
- Ginther OJ. How ultrasound technologies have expanded
and revolutionized research in reproduction in large animals.
Theriogenology 2014; 81: 112-125.
- Mari G, Iacono E, Merlo B, Castagnetti C. Reduction of twin
pregnancy in the mare by transvaginal ultrasound-guided
aspiration. Reprod Dom Anim 2004; 39: 434-437.
- Ginther OJ, Gastal EL, Gastal MO. Spatial relationships
between serrated granulosa and vascularity of the preovulatory
follicle and developing corpus luteum. J Equine Vet Sci 2007;
27: 20-27.
- Kot K, Ginther OJ. Ultrasonic characterization of ovulatory
follicular evacuation and luteal development in heifers. J
Reprod Fertil 1999; 115: 39-43.
- Honnens A, Voss C, Herzog K, Niemann H, Rath D, Bollwein
H. Uterine blood flow during the first 3 weeks of pregnancy in
dairy cows. Theriogenology 2008; 70: 1048-1056.
- Ali A. Effect of gestational age and fetal position on the
possibility and accuracy of ultrasonographic fetal gender
determination in dairy cattle. Reprod Dom Anim 2004; 39:
190-194.
- Schmauder S, Weber F, Kiossis E, Bollwein H. Cyclic changes
in endometrial echotexture of cows using a computer-assisted
program for the analysis of first-and second-order grey level
statistics of B-mode ultrasound images. Anim Reprod Sci
2008; 106: 153-161.
- Kauffold J, von dem Bussche B, Failing K, Wehrend A, Wendt
M. Use of B-mode ultrasound and grey-scale analysis to study
uterine echogenicity in the pig. J Reprod Develop 2010; 56:
444-448.
- Cengiz M, Kanca H, Salar S, Bastan A, Kucukaslan I, Alkan
H, Karakas K, Hayirli A. Endometrial echotexture parameters
in Turkish Saanen Goats (Akkeci) during oestrus and early
pregnancy. Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 146: 27-33.
- Gábor G, Sasser RG, Kastelic JP, Mézes M, Falkay G, Bozó S,
Csík JV, Bárány I, Hidas A, Szász F Jr et al. Computer analysis
of video and ultrasonographic images for evaluation of bull
testes. Theriogenology 1998; 50: 223-228.
- Vassena R, Adams GP, Mapletoft RJ, Pierson RA, Singh J.
Ultrasound image characteristics of ovarian follicles in relation
to oocyte competence and follicular status in cattle. Anim
Reprod Sci 2003; 76: 25-41.
- Davies KL, Bartlewski PM, Pierson RA, Rawlings NC.
Computer assisted image analyses of corpora lutea in relation
to peripheral concentrations of progesterone: a comparison
between breeds of sheep with different ovulation rates. Anim
Reprod Sci 2006; 96: 165-175.
- Ginther OJ. Tubular genitalia. In: Ginther OJ, editor. Ultrasonic
Imaging and Animal Reproduction. Cross Plains, WI, USA:
Equiservices Publishing; 1998. pp. 105-128.
- Scully S, Butler ST, Kelly AK, Evans ACO, Lonergan P,
Crowe MA. Early pregnancy diagnosis on days 18 to 21
postinsemination using high-resolution imaging in lactating
dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97: 3542-3557.
- Glinkowski W, Kornacki M. Telemedicine: a new concept of
the medical care. Acta Bio-Opt InF Med Biomed 1997; 2: 155-
156.
- Wetterwald A, van der Pluijm G, Que I, Sijmons B, Buijs J,
Karperien M. Optical imaging of cancer metastasis to bone
marrow: a mouse model of minimal residual disease. Am J
Pathol 2002; 160: 1143-1153.
- da Cruz GA, de Moraes MEL, de Moraes LC, da Rocha RF,
Balducci I. Evaluation of optical density of rats tibiae bone
repair treated with rofecoxib. Pilot study. Cienc Odontol Bras
2008; 11: 21-25.
- López L
ópez J, Estrugo-Devesa A, Jan
é Salas E, Ayuso Montero
R, G
ómez Vaquero C. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis by means
of orthopantomograms and oral x-rays: a systematic review.
Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2011; 16:
905-913.
- Kähn HW. Veterinary Reproductive Ultrasonography, Special
Ed. Hannover, Germany: Schlüttersche Verlagsanstalt und
Druckerei GmbH; 2004.
- SAS. User’s Guide. Cary, NC, USA: SAS Institute; 2002.
- Emond V, MacLaren LA, Kimmins S, Arosh JA, Fortier MA,
Lambert RD. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and granulocyte-
macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the endometrial
epithelium of the cow is up-regulated during early pregnancy
and in response to intrauterine infusions of interferon-τ. Biol
Reprod 2004; 70: 54-64.
- Spencer TE, Bazer FW. Conceptus signals for establishment
and maintenance of pregnancy. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2004;
2: 49.
- Robertson SA. GM-CSF regulation of embryo development
and pregnancy. Cytokine Growth F R 2007; 18: 287-298.
- Bonafos LD, Kot K, Ginther OJ. Physical characteristics of the
uterus during the bovine estrous cycle and early pregnancy.
Theriogenology 1995; 43: 713-721.
Silva LA, Ginther OJ. Local effect of the conceptus on
uterine vascular perfusion during early pregnancy in heifers.
Reproduction 2010; 139: 453-463.
- Arashiro EK, Fonseca JF, Siqueira LGB, Fernandes CA,
Brandao FZ, Oba E, Viana JH. Assessment of luteal function
in goats by ultrasonographic image attribute analysis. Small
Ruminant Res 2010; 94: 176-179.