title: Foetal echoencephalography and Doppler ultrasonography of the middle cerebral artery in canine foetuses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the brain and vascular indices of the middle cerebral artery of canine foetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five bitches were selected. Tissue development, echogenicity, echotexture and brain echobiometric data were studied, and the major structures were identified between the 5th and 8th gestational weeks. The area and volume of the brain mass (BMA and BMV), cranial area and volume (AC and VC), brain mass index (BMI) and brain volume index (BVI) were determined. A single ultrasound examination was performed during each studied week (6th, 7th and 8th). Doppler ultrasonography was performed to assess the maximum and minimum velocity, resistance and pulsatility index of middle cerebral artery of the foetuses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Echoencephalography was performed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the central nervous system. Cerebral echobiometry indicated an increase in area and volume of the hemispheres and cranium (P<0·001) but no changes in BMI or BVI over the gestational period studied. Doppler ultrasonography identified increases in peak systolic velocity (P=0·0188) and end diastolic velocity (P=0·0274) and decreases in resistance index (P=0·0002) and pulsatility index (P<0·001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Echoencephalography and spectral Doppler ultrasonography of the middle cerebral artery in canine foetuses might be a useful technique for prenatal care.
authors: Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: M A R
authors: MA
authors: Feliciano
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Nepomuceno
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Crivalero
authors: M E F
authors: ME
authors: Oliveira
authors: L N
authors: LN
authors: Coutinho
authors: W R R
authors: WR
authors: Vicente
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000662:veterinary; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000662:veterinary; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000662:veterinary