title: Uterine blood flow in sheep and goats during the peri-parturient period assessed by transrectal Doppler sonography.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate uterine blood flow (UBF) during the postpartum period in small ruminants. The study involved measures of UBF in 5 ewes and 5 goats during the first 4 weeks after parturition. Transrectal quantification of UBF was assessed by determining the diameter (DM), time averaged mean velocity (TAMEAN), blood flow volume (BFV), blood flow acceleration (ACCE) and pulsatility index (PI) in the uterine arteries ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn(s) at Wk 20 of gestation and every 3days from the day of parturition (D 0) until Day 27 postpartum (D 27). The diameters of the uterine arteries decreased (P<0.01) in both species during the postpartum period. The results revealed decreases (P<0.0001) in BFV, ACCE and TAMEAN, while PI increased during the postpartum period in both sheep and goats. Furthermore, there were positive correlations (P<0.05) between blood flow parameters in sheep and goats, respectively (BFV and DM, r=0.62 and 0.58; BFV and ACCE, r=0.32 and 0.26; BFV and TAMEAN, r=0.51 and 0.37). There were negative correlations (P<0.05) between PI and other parameters (PI and BFV, r=-0.39 and -0.36; PI and DM, r=-0.54 and -0.24; PI and ACCE, r=-0.58 and -0.48; and PI and TAMEAN, r=-0.80 and -0.79) in sheep and goats, respectively. Altogether, these results indicate that non-invasive Doppler ultrasound parameters provide important information toward understanding changes in the vasculature and its perfusion of the uterus during the postpartum period in sheep and goats.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Reproductive Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt. Electronic address: mmetwally@mans.edu.eg.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elmetwally
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: hbollwein@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bollwein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000662:veterinary*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Blood flow; Doppler; Goats; Puerperium; Sheep