title: Determination by echography of uterine changes around puberty in gilts and evaluation of a diagnosis of puberty.
abstract: Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the use of ultrasonography in assessing the onset of puberty in gilts. In experiment 1, gilts (n = 17) were scanned 3 times per week beginning at 133 and continuing until 187 days of age. The ultrasonic appearance of the uterus was described, quantified and compared with the reproductive status observed at slaughter. The quantification of the pictures showed a different correlation in time for infantile, impubertal, prepubertal and pubertal stages. For pubertal females, "uterine area" increased at around 180 days of age, well-defined sections of the uterine horns appeared 3 +/- 0.5 days before puberty. In infantile and impubertal gilts during the same period of age, uterine images remained dark and homogeneous; no significant change in the "uterine area" was observed. This difference in images allowed an evaluation of the diagnosis of puberty. In experiment 2, the gilts (n = 123) were scanned, the result was verified at slaughter the day after by examination of the genital tract. The uterine weight of the gilts that had reached a prepubertal or pubertal stage was significantly greater (P = 0.0001) than that in impubertal gilts. The sensitivity and the specificity of the diagnosis were 91.9% and 96.5% respectively. Experiment 3 was performed on a farm and echographic examinations were carried out one and five days after gilts (n = 117) arrived at the piggery. Oestrus detection or blood sampling for progesterone determinations were used as tools to determine the reproductive status. The sensitivity and the specificity of the diagnosis were 98.9% and 100% respectively. This diagnosis of puberty is thus accurate.
authors: UMR 6073 INRA-CNRS-Université F. Rabelais PRC, 37380 Nouzilly, France. fbotte@tours.inra.fr
authors: Françoise
authors: F
authors: Martinat-Botté
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Royer
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Venturi
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Boisseau
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Guillouet
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Furstoss
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Terqui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development