Early Detection of Fetal Abnormality

ABSTRACT After introduction of high-frequency vaginal transducer, transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound has established a field of sonoembryology and most of the major fetal abnormalities have been detectable in the first trimester. Three-dimensional ultrasound adds an objective and comprehensive information to two-dimensional sonographic findings. How to cite this article Pooh RK. Early Detection of Fetal Abnormality. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013;7(1):46-50.

Novel Vaginal Transducer for Monitoring Intra-Abdominal Pressure During Physical Activity

Pelvic floor disorders among women have become increasingly prevalent [1]. In an attempt to minimize incidence, progression and recurrence of pelvic floor disorders, doctors commonly advise women at risk to refrain from physical exertion based on the supposition that certain physical activities significantly raise intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). These activity restrictions are life altering and can vary from doctor to doctor because there is much uncertainty as to which activities truly increase IAP to a harmful level. Previous studies attempting to correlate physical activity with IAP have been limited to conventional urodynamics transducers which are not ideal for IAP measurement during physical activity.

239 HORMONE PROFILE AND OVARIAN FOLLICLE DIAMETER IN EARLY POSTPARTUM LACTATING COWS

The purpose of this study was to assess the ovarian follicle diameter and hormone status during early postpartum in cows. Eighteen Holstein cows, aged 3.5–5.5 years and of 400–600 kg BW with normal calving, were examined every 3rd day starting from Day 15 until Day 33 postpartum. Blood samples for hormonal (progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2)) analyses were withdrawn from the coccygeal vein every 3rd day until the end of the experiment. The ovarian follicular number and size were verified and measured using a sector vaginal transducer ultrasound scanner (6.5 MHz probe, SA 600; Medison Co., Seoul, Korea). The least squares means (±SEM) are presented for each day (GLM of SAS). In postpartum cows, E2 levels were 27.09 ± 5.22 pg, 24.50 ± 5.76 pg, 26.92 ± 4.62 pg, 25.53 ± 3.74 pg, 27.47 ± 5.72 pg, 26.48 ± 8.06 pg for Days 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33, respectively, 28.01 ± 7.52 pg; P4 levels were 1.35 ± 1.14 ng, 2.41 ± 1.70 ng, 2.85 ± 2.26 ng, 2.88 ± 1.90 ng, 2.91 ± 1.91 ng, 3.04 ± 2.31 ng, and 4.04 ± 3.70 ng for Days 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33, respectively. The ovarian follicle diameter was 12.36 ± 3.31 mm, 11.91 ± 2.99 mm, 13.09 ± 3.37 mm, 13.55 ± 2.76 mm, 14.55 ± 3.68 mm, 15.64 ± 5.53 mm, 17.45 ± 3.22 mm for Days 15, 18, 21, 24, 30, and 33, respectively. The present results show that mean plasma concentration of P4 and mean follicle diameter gradually increased from Day 15 to Day 33 postpartum. It is concluded that monitoring of P4 and E2 during early postpartum period would be useful to predict the ovarian starts for early rebreeding in dairy cows.