title: An evaluation of B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography for detecting periovulatory events in the bitch.
abstract: When determining optimal breeding time in the bitch, specific periovulatory events must be identified. The main objectives were to relate ultrasonographic changes in ovarian blood flow, follicle/corpora lutea count and echotexture to periovulatory events, and to assess the efficacy of each for identifying these events. Twelve Beagle (N = 3), Beagle-cross (N = 2) and hound-cross (N = 7) bitches (body weight range, 7.5-27.5 kg) were examined daily from the onset of proestrus to approximately 4 days post-LH peak. Follicle and corpora lutea count and echotexture analyses were performed using B-mode ultrasound and ovarian blood flow analysis was performed using color Doppler ultrasound. Serum LH concentrations were analyzed by validated RIA. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in ovarian blood flow from the day of the preovulatory LH peak (605 pixels; confidence interval, 397-856), to 1 day after this peak (1092 pixels; confidence interval, 724-1535), enabling detection of the preovulatory LH peak. There were no significant changes in follicle/corpora lutea echotexture relative to days from the preovulatory LH peak. There were significant decreases in follicle/corpora lutea number between Days -1 and 3; Days -1 and 4; and Days 0 and 3, relative to the preovulatory LH peak. We concluded that color Doppler ultrasound performed once daily was more accurate in identifying the preovulatory LH peak than B-mode ultrasound and enabled prospective determination of ovulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. lbergero@uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: Lindsay H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.forename: Stephanie G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Nykamp
authors.forename: Brigitte A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Brisson
authors.forename: Pavneesh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Madan
authors.forename: Cathy J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gartley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone