Reproductive Ultrasonography for Vet Students

Practical Notes in Reproductive Ultrasonography & Reproductive Endoscopy

• This document is practical notes for fifth-year veterinary students from Beni-Suef University.
• The document covers topics including ultrasonographic examinations of cows and mares, reproductive tract pathology, reproductive endoscopy, and endoscopic surgery in animal reproduction and veterinary practice.
• The document lists specific chapters on different topics and their respective page numbers.

Chapter (1): Ultrasonographic Examination of Non-Pregnant Cow

• Cyclic ovaries include follicles and/or corpora lutea with varying degrees of echogenicity.
• Ovarian follicles appear as anechoic regions, might not be round, due to transducer pressure on surrounding tissue.
• Ovarian corpus luteum appears as distinctly echogenic areas within the ovarian stroma.
• A central lacuna (fluid-filled cavity) may be visible within a normal corpus luteum.
• A corpus luteum might be mistakenly identified as a luteal cyst; it should not be mistaken for one.
• The corpus luteum (CL) can be identified on ultrasound examinations 4 days after ovulation.
• The size of the CL peaks 14 days post-ovulation, then regresses.
• Repeated checks of ovaries, via ultrasound, can diagnose the stage of the estrous cycle.
• A sonogram of the ovary shows corpus luteum (1), follicle (2), and pelvic bone (3).
• The non-pregnant uterus has various echogenic appearances dependent on the estrous cycle stage.

Chapter (2): Ultrasonographic Examination of Pregnant Cow

• Early identification of non-pregnant cows improves reproductive efficiency.
• Experienced veterinarians can diagnose pregnancy as early as 18 days post-insemination.
• The diagnosis of pregnancy in the early stages need to be considered with caution to avoid embryonic loss.
• Pregnancy can be diagnosed in cows in the 30-day stage (embryo and amniotic vesicle).
• Most veterinarians can identify pregnancy effectively using transrectal ultrasonography by day 30 post-AI (artificial insemination).
• Accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis improves to day 40.
• Twinning can be detected by day 40 to 70 post AI via ultrasound.
• Twinning is indicated by the presence of two or more corpora lutea.
• Fetal sex can be determined by ultrasound by days 55-60 post-ovulation.

Chapter (3): Reproductive Tract Pathology

• Ultrasound aids in diagnosing cyclic abnormalities and pathologic conditions—particularly in dairy cattle.
• Cystic ovaries, a result of abnormal cyclic activity, diminish fertility.
• A cystic ovary is identified as a fluid-filled structure larger than 25 mm, present in the ovary for more than 10 days without a functioning corpus luteum.
• Types of cystic ovaries include follicular theca cysts and luteal theca cysts.
• Endometritis is a pathologic condition that influences dairy cattle.
• Clinical and subclinical cases of endometritis can occur.

Chapter (4): Ultrasonographic Examination of Non-Pregnant Mare

• Ultrasound is crucial for evaluating mare suitability for breeding and artificial insemination.
• Ultrasound can diagnose and manage twin pregnancies.
• Ultrasound assists in investigating infertility.
• Fetal health during the later stages of pregnancy can be assessed via ultrasound.

Chapter (5): Ultrasonographic Examination of Pregnant Mare

• A 5 or 7.5 MHz transducer is needed for diagnosing pregnancy at days 10-12.
• Early pregnancy, due to embryonic loss, may need continuous monitoring by veterinary care .
• Ultrasound can be used to monitor twin pregnancies or pregnancies that had multiple ovulations.
• Frequency of subsequent scans depends on factors like presence of twins, size, or embryo quality.
• Conceptus (early pregnancy) is highly mobile in the uterine horn.

Chapter (6): Ultrasonographic Examination of Small Animals

• Ultrasonography is a non-invasive imaging technique used in various animal species.
• Ultrasonography is particularly valuable for diagnosing pregnancy or reproductive problems like uterine torsion.
• Ultrasonography helps locate the ovaries and diagnose pregnancy or other conditions like uterine or ovarian cysts or tumors.
• Ultrasonographic techniques, depending on the animal, use either trans-abdominal or trans-rectal methods.
• Scan frequency varies between 3.5 MHz and 5 MHz.
• The ultrasonographic exam assists with diagnosing pregnancy, identifying abnormalities, or evaluating fetal health

Chapter (7): Reproductive Endoscopy

• Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure to evaluate areas within the body.
• Endoscopy is used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
• Endoscopy can be used for urinary, genital, and respiratory tract endoscopies.
• Endoscopy for diagnosis is helpful, for example, in GI-tract endoscopy (upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts), and abdominal endoscopy (laparoscopy)
• Other endoscopic techniques include—vaginoscopy, bronchoscopy, and thoracoscopy

Chapter (8): Endoscopic Surgical Procedures in Animals

• Minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopy, are effective in animal surgery.
• Endoscopic surgery offers advantages such as reduced pain, the potential for faster recovery and more detailed visualization during procedures.
• Applications in small animal reproduction include gonadectomies (removal of ovaries in females, cryptorchidectomy (removal of undescended testicles in males), and ovariohysterectomies.

Chapter (9): Endoscopy in Small Animal Theriogenology

•  Endoscopy aids in various theriogenology procedures.
• Veterinary practices use endoscopy in various procedures like embryo transfer or diagnosis, and for reproductive purposes.
•  Endoscopy in animals includes examinations like vaginoscopy, laparoscopy, and other types specific to reproductive tract examination

Chapter (10): Endoscopy in Pet Animal Theriogenology

• Vaginoscopy is an endoscopic procedure used in bitches to evaluate the stage of their estrous cycle.
• It helps detect causes of infertility.
• It can also diagnose ectopic ureters.
• During the process, the vaginal mucosa can be observed for changes in color, contour, and presence of fluid.
• Procedures like vaginoscopy use various endoscopes, including rigid and flexible ones, specialized for each anatomical area.