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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Domest Anim / Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive ...
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2022; 57 Suppl 5(Suppl 5); 34-44; doi: 10.1111/rda.14192

Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches.

Abstract: Ultrasound technology has led to new lines of research in equine reproduction, and it has helped to greatly improve clinical diagnosis and reproductive outcomes in equine practice. This review aims to discuss the potential clinical uses and new approaches of ultrasonography in equine reproduction. Doppler modalities are usually used to evaluate the vascularization of the follicles, corpus luteum (CL), and the uterus in the mare for diagnostic purposes. Inclusion of Doppler ultrasound in artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs could improve the reproductive outcome of these techniques. Better selection of recipients based on CL functionality, early pregnancy diagnosis 7-8 days postovulation of the donor before flushing or diagnosis of mares with endometritis with pathological increases of blood flow are examples of clinical applications in the mare. In the stallion, colour Doppler ultrasound has improved the diagnostic potential of B-mode ultrasound, improving the differential diagnosis of pathologies such as testicular torsion (decrease or absence of blood flow in the cord) and orchitis (increased blood flow in the cord). The incorporation of pulsed Doppler ultrasound into the reproductive evaluation of the stallion has enabled early identification of stallions with testicular dysfunction, thus allowing administration of timely treatment and subsequent improvements of the fertility prognosis for these animals. In addition, this technique has been used in the monitoring of patients undergoing medical and surgical treatments, thus verifying their efficacy. Recently, computer-assisted pixel analysis using specific software has been performed in research work in order to semi-quantitatively evaluate the vascularization (colour and power Doppler) and echotexture of different organs. These softwares are now being developed for clinical purposes, as is the case with Ecotext, a computer program developed for the evaluation of testicular echotexture, providing information on testicular functionality.
© 2022 The Authors. Reproduction in Domestic Animals published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-15 PubMed ID: 35748405PubMed Central: PMC9796632DOI: 10.1111/rda.14192Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research review explores how ultrasound technology has revolutionized equine reproduction studies and has greatly enhanced diagnostic capabilities improving reproductive outcomes in horses. Different ultrasound methods, specifically Doppler modalities, have been discussed for their potential clinical applications, including their use in the selection of recipients for artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs.

Improvement in Equine Reproductive Outcomes using Doppler Modalities

  • Doppler modalities are primarily employed in evaluating the vascular aspects of the mare’s reproductive organs such as the follicles, corpus luteum (CL – a temporary endocrine structure involved in ovulation and early pregnancy stages), and the uterus. By better understanding the vascularization of these organs, vets can make more accurate diagnoses.
  • The improved capability of Doppler ultrasound to diagnose has been successfully incorporated into artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs. This technology has allowed for better selection of recipients based on the functionality of the CL. This advancement has led to more promising reproductive outcomes.
  • Early pregnancy diagnosis is now possible 7-8 days post-ovulation due to ultrasound technology, offering an opportunity for preemptive measures if necessary, and therefore improving the odds of a successful pregnancy.

Equine Testicular Evaluation: Doppler Ultrasound in Stallions

  • In the male horse, Doppler ultrasound has advanced the diagnostic potential of conventional B-mode ultrasound, allowing for improved differential diagnosis of testicular conditions such as torsion and orchitis, which are easily distinguishable by changes in testicular blood flow.
  • The deployment of pulsed Doppler ultrasound has facilitated the early identification of stallions with testicular dysfunction. This timely diagnosis enables appropriate treatment and thus enhancement of these animals’ fertility prognosis.
  • The technology also allows for monitoring of patients undergoing both medical and surgical treatments, thus verifying their efficacy.

Computer-Assisted Pixel Analysis: The Future

  • Recently, computer-assisted pixel analysis with specific software has been introduced in research. This development has enabled semi-quantitative evaluation of the vascularization (as observed in colour and power Doppler) and echotexture of different organs.
  • Programs are now being developed for clinical use such as Ecotext, a software embodied for the evaluation of testicular echotexture. It’s used to give insights about the functionality of testicles and is a promising tool for enhancing equine veterinary care.

Cite This Article

APA
Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gómez-Arrones V, Martín-Cano FE, Gil MC, Peña FJ, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Da Silva-Álvarez E. (2022). Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches. Reprod Domest Anim, 57 Suppl 5(Suppl 5), 34-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14192

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 57 Suppl 5
Issue: Suppl 5
Pages: 34-44

Researcher Affiliations

Ortega-Ferrusola, Cristina
  • Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
Gómez-Arrones, Vanesa
  • CENSYRA, Centro de selección y reproducción animal de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain.
Martín-Cano, Francisco E
  • Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
Gil, Mari Cruz
  • Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
Peña, Fernando J
  • Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
Gaitskell-Phillips, Gemma
  • Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
Da Silva-Álvarez, Eva
  • Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Corpus Luteum / blood supply
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Grant Funding

  • The authors received financial support for this study from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities PID2019-107797RA-100/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and from Junta de Extremadura-FEDER (IB20163 and IB20008). GGP holds a PhD grant from the Ministry of Science, Madrid, Spain (PRE2018-083354).

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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