Summary
Objective: To test for the feasibility of transabdominal Doppler sonography (color,
power, pulse wave) to define uterine perfusion characteristics throughout the estrous
cycle in gilts. Materials and methods: A total of 15 gilts were synchronized for
estrus and scanned in their following spontaneous cycle while being restrained in a
purpose-designed mobile crate. To define uterine perfusion characteristics, vessels in
between and within uterine cross-sections were imaged and recorded as video sequences to
be analyzed by PixelFlux® software for perfused area (Amix), blood flow velocity (vmix)
and intensity (Imix) as well as resistance (RIvmix) and pulsatility index (PIvmix).
Results: Color Doppler sonography proved to be the only feasible technique, as it
was less affected by animal movements than power and pulse wave sonography. As determined
by color Doppler sonography, all five parameters determined showed specific patterns
through the estrous cycle, i. e. Amix, vmix, Imix were high in proestrus, decreased in
estrus and remained low in midestrus and most parts of diestrus; RIvmix and PIvmix with
inversely paralleled patterns. Conclusion and clinical relevance: This study has
demonstrated that transabdominal color Doppler but not power and pulse wave Doppler
sonography is feasible to be performed in crate-restrained gilts for studying uterine
perfusion characteristics during the estrous cycle, and that changes of uterine perfusion
over the course of the estrous cycle can be clearly followed by color Doppler sonography.
Results encourage the use of color Doppler sonography for studying i. e. uterine capacity
or uterus related infertility such as for cases of clinically unapparent endometritis.
Transcranial color Doppler sonography of basal cerebral arteries in 182 healthy subjects: age and sex variability and normal reference values for blood flow parameters.
