title: Endometrial echotexture variables in postpartum cows with subclinical endometritis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate endometrial echotexture changes on ultrasonographic digital images during subclinical endometritis using a computer-assisted image analysis program. Endometrial samples were collected from 140 Brown Swiss cows (days in milk = 35 ± 3) using a cytobrush method and classified as having a non-inflamed uterus (n = 66) and uterus with acute (n = 42), subacute (n = 21), and chronic (n = 11) inflammations. The mean cellular infiltration density was 0%, 31 ± 5%, 37 ± 6%, and 16 ± 8% for cows with non-inflamed uterus and cows with acute, subacute, and chronic uterine inflammations (P < 0.0001). As the cell infiltration density increased, both cervical diameter and mean gray level did not change. There were a liner decrease in homogeneity and a linear increase in contrast in response to increased cellular infiltration density. The sensitivity and specificity were 79.73% and 46.97% for the homogeneity value and 59.46% and 69.70% for the contrast value, respectively. In conclusion, monitoring endometrial echotexture alterations, especially homogeneity and contrast, changed depending on the cellular density and inflammation status and may be potential diagnostic markers for subclinical endometritis in cows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey. Electronic address: bpolat@atauni.edu.tr.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Polat
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cengiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cannazik
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colak
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oruc
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salar
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bastan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004716:Endometritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D049590:Postpartum Period; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Computer-assisted image analysis; Cow; Cytobrush; Echotexture; Subclinical endometritis