title: Efficacy of linear and convex transducers for ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle aspiration.
abstract: A new device was developed to hold linear transducers for transvaginal follicle aspiration. Efficacy of follicle aspiration was compared using a linear 6 MHz and a convex 5 MHz transducer. Fifty-five cows were submitted to follicle aspiration at random days of the estrous cycle. Aspirations were conducted with linear (n=28) and convex (n=38) transducers with 18 G needles at a negative pressure corresponding to 13 ml H(2)O/min. A greater number of follicles were aspirated using convex than to linear probe (12.4 versus 7.8, respectively, P<0.05). Mean number of oocytes and recovery rates were similar for convex (5.4 and 48.6%) and linear (4.6 and 59.3%) transducers. Limited space between the linear transducer and needle guide restricted access to some portions of the ovary, reducing the number of follicles aspirated using a linear transducer. The newly developed adaptor allowed greater stability, holding the ovaries firmly against the linear transducer. This diminished mobility permitted a similar number of oocytes to be recovered with both transducers. In conclusion, this new adaptor provided a low cost alternative for routine follicle aspiration and oocyte recovery in cattle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinics, CCA, UEL, Londrina, 86051-990, PR, Brazil. msenda@uel.br
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Seneda
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Esper
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Binelli
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D009865:Oocytes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D014159:Transducers / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary; D014463:Ultrasonography