title: [Follow-up ultrasonographic examinations in pregnant bitches - evaluation of frequency and significance of embryo resorption].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Follow-up ultrasonographic examinations in pregnant bitches to evaluate frequency and significance of embryo resorption.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 39 Kangal bitches the number of gestational sacs was measured and vitality of embryos/fetuses was evaluated by real time ultrasonography daily from the 15th till the last day of gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five bitches (12.8%) showed embryonic resorption and one of these bitches exhibited a complete resorption. Fetal death could be observed in four females and was related to a total loss of the litter. After the first evidence of embryonic death gestational sacs remained detectable for 8.6±0.5days. The number of embryos of bitches with (10.8±1.8) or without embryo resorption (8.2±2.1) was statistically significantly different (p<0.05). On the other hand there was no statistically significant difference within the number of embryos of bitches suffering fetal death and bitches without embryo resorption (8.2±2.1) (p>0.05). A relationship between litter size and gestational length could not be verified (r=0.15; p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to these results the hypothesis is postulated that embryonic resorption is a kind of protective mechanism of the maternal organism against too large litter sizes.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Sait Sendag, Yüzüncü Yil Üniversitesi, Veteriner Fakültesi, Dogum ve Jinekoloji AB D, 65080 Kampüs/Van-Türkiye, Türkei, E-Mail: ssendag@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sendag
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dinc
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wehrend