Uterine blood flow and perfusion in mares with uterine cysts: effect of the size of the cystic area and age.
Abstract: Transrectal color and power Doppler ultrasonography was used to study uterine blood flow and perfusion in mares with and without uterine cysts. Vascular perfusion of the uterus and blood flow velocities, vascular perfusion, diameter, circumference, and area of a cross section of the mesometrial attachment were evaluated. To study the effect of internal cysts, two matched groups (cystic and control, n=21 mares/group) were used. Uterine vascular perfusion in mares with cysts was less (P<0.0001) in the cystic than the noncystic region and less (P<0.0009) than that for controls. Mares with cysts had lower (P<0.04) pulsatility index (PI) and greater end diastolic velocity (EDV; P<0.03) and time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV; P<0.05) of the mesometrial vessels than the controls. To study the effect of the size of internal uterine cystic area, paired mares were arranged in four groups (n=8-11/group): small uterine cystic area (410 mm(2)) versus controls. A small uterine cystic area did not affect uterine hemodynamics. Mares with large uterine cystic area had lower PI (P<0.05) and greater peak systolic velocity (P< or =0.05), EDV (P<0.009), and TAMV (P<0.005). To study the effect of age, old versus young mares without cysts were compared (n=11/group). Old mares had greater EDV (P<0.02) and TAMV (P<0.01) than young mares. Results demonstrated, for the first time in any species, reduced uterine vascular perfusion in mares with uterine cysts and a positive association between size of the cystic area and disturbed uterine hemodynamics.
Publication Date: 2008-02-22 PubMed ID: 18296511DOI: 10.1530/REP-07-0447Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article explores the impact of uterine cysts on blood flow and perfusion in mares, with a particular focus on the size of the cystic area and age of the animal. Using Doppler ultrasonography, the study found that there is reduced uterine vascular perfusion in mares with cysts and that larger cystic areas are associated with disturbed uterine hemodynamics.
Methodology
- The researchers employed transrectal color and power Doppler ultrasonography, a diagnostic imaging technique, to assess the uterine blood flow and perfusion in mares with and without uterine cysts.
- Different aspects such as blood flow velocities, diameter and area of cross-sectional images of the mesometrial attachment, which is the area where the uterus is attached to the abdominal wall, were evaluated.
- For studying the effects of uterine cysts, two similar groups (one with cysts, other without cysts) each containing 21 mares were used for comparison.
Results and Findings
- From the data gathered, it was observed that the uterine vascular perfusion, i.e., the blood flow within the uterus, was significantly lower in mares with uterine cysts. This was particularly true in the cystic areas compared to non-cystic regions, as well as compared to control mares.
- The study noted that mares with uterine cysts showed lower Pulsatility Index (PI) which is an indicator of blood flow resistance. Also, they demonstrated a higher End Diastolic Velocity (EDV) and Time-Averaged Maximum Velocity (TAMV), parameters that reflect the speed of blood flow.
- To understand the effect of cystic size on uterine hemodynamics (blood flow dynamics), mares were divided into four groups depending on the size of their uterine cystic area: Small cystic area (≤275 mm²) vs controls and Large cystic area (>410 mm²) vs controls.
- It was observed that small cystic areas did not impact uterine hemodynamics. However, mares with a large cystic area displayed a lower PI and higher peak systolic velocity, EDV, and TAMV, signifying the influence of cystic size on blood flow within the uterus.
- Finally, age was also studied as a factor. The results indicated that older mares demonstrated higher EDV and TAMV, indicating a higher speed of blood flow compared to their younger counterparts.
Conclusion
- Overall, the research article demonstrated, for the first time in any species, that uterine cysts can reduce uterine vascular perfusion in mares.
- Additionally, it was found that the size of the cystic area positively correlated with disturbances in uterine blood flow.
- The age of the mares also seemed to influence blood flow, with older mares demonstrating higher velocities.
Cite This Article
APA
Ferreira JC, Gastal EL, Ginther OJ.
(2008).
Uterine blood flow and perfusion in mares with uterine cysts: effect of the size of the cystic area and age.
Reproduction, 135(4), 541-550.
https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-07-0447 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, Wisconsin 53528, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Blood Flow Velocity
- Cysts / blood supply
- Cysts / diagnostic imaging
- Cysts / veterinary
- Estrous Cycle / physiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Perfusion
- Pulsatile Flow
- Ultrasonography, Doppler
- Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
- Uterine Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
- Uterine Neoplasms / physiopathology
- Uterus / blood supply
- Uterus / diagnostic imaging
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Salem SE, Sinnott A, Roach JM, Verheyen KLP, de Mestre AM. Mixed-Effects Modelling of the Risk Factors Associated with Multiple Pregnancies in Thoroughbred Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 20;12(14).
- Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gómez-Arrones V, Martín-Cano FE, Gil MC, Peña FJ, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Da Silva-Álvarez E. Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches. Reprod Domest Anim 2022 Oct;57 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):34-44.
- Alonso MA, Silva LA, Affonso FJ, Lemes KM, Celeghini ECC, Lançoni R, Carvalho HF, de Arruda RP. Effect of hCG application at different moments of the estrous cycle on corpus luteum and uterine vascularization and serum progesterone concentration in mares. Anim Reprod 2019 Oct 24;16(2):317-327.
- Oglat AA, Matjafri MZ, Suardi N, Oqlat MA, Abdelrahman MA, Oqlat AA. A Review of Medical Doppler Ultrasonography of Blood Flow in General and Especially in Common Carotid Artery. J Med Ultrasound 2018 Jan-Mar;26(1):3-13.
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