title: The suitability of echotexture characteristics of the follicular wall for identifying the optimal breeding day in mares.
abstract: Ultrasonically detected changes in the equine preovulatory follicle were characterized for the 3 d preceding ovulation early (n = 47) and late (n = 14) in the ovulatory season. Values for the following follicle end points increased progressively over the 3 d: diameter, incidence of nonspherical shape, echogenicity of the apparent granulosa layer, and prominence of an anechoic layer beneath the granulosa. The latter 2 echotexture end points were scored from 1 to 3 (minimal to maximal). Follicle diameter and the 2 echotexture characteristics were more prominent early than late in the ovulatory season. Early in the season, both echotexture characteristics were at the maximal score of 3 in 33/47 (70%) follicles on Day -1 (Day 0 = ovulation). None of the follicles ovulated before both characteristics reached a score of > or = 2. Use of follicle diameter alone to predict impending ovulation seemed ineffective because of a wide range in diameters on Day -1 (31 to 49 mm). The efficiency of a score of > or = 2 for both granulosa echogenicity and prominence of the anechoic layer as an echotexture indicator for the initiation of breeding early in the ovulatory season was compared to diameter indicators of > or = 30 mm, > or = 35 mm, or > or = 40 mm. Data were evaluated as though mares had been bred every other day beginning when an indicator was attained. If the echotexture and > or = 30 mm indicators had been used, none of 34 mares would have ovulated before breeding. However, the mean number of breedings per bred mare would have been greater (P < 0.05) for the > or = 30 mm indicator (2.1 +/- 0.1) than for the echotexture indicator (1.6 +/- 0.1 breedings). The number of breedings per mare would have been equivalent for the echotexture indicator and the diameter indicators of > or = 35 mm (1.5 +/- 0.1) and > or = 40 mm (1.4 +/- 0.2). However, 21 and 74% of the mares would have ovulated before breeding for the > or = 35 mm and > or = 40 mm indicators, respectively. Results suggested that the echotexture indicator would have been more efficient for initiation of breeding than any of the diameter indicators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Gastal
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Gastal
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Ginther
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005496:Follicular Atresia; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D010061:Ovulation Detection; D014463:Ultrasonography