A comparison of rectal palpation and ultrasonography for the evaluation of superovulatory response in beef heifers.
The superovulatory response was followed up in 14 beef heifers by rectal palpation and by ultrasonographic examinations of the 28 ovaries, on day 7 after superovulation induced with PMSG (ovulation = day 0). Using a B-mode ultrasound instrument (Aloka Echo Camera SSD-210-DX II) equipped with a 5 MHz linear transrectal transducer, ultrasonography was found to be more reliable than rectal palpation. A significantly higher number of follicles (P < or = 0.049) was identified by ultrasound scanning than by rectal palpation of the ovaries: follicles were more easily differentiated from cysts using ultrasonography, since each fluid-filled vesicle was accurately measured on the screen and presented on the echogram.
Makek
Z
Z
Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Herak
M
M
Cergolj
M
M
Barac-Getz
I
I
Rudan
D
D
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013480:Superovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography