Optical density changes in ultrasonographic images of the endometrium and corpus luteum in pregnant and cyclic cows

Abstract

Optical density image (ODI) analysis, based on the intensity of pixels in digital images, is commonly used in orthopedic medicine. This study was conducted to quantify endometrial and luteal changes in early pregnant and cyclic cows by ODI analysis. Twenty healthy primiparous Simmental cows on days 80-120 postpartum were subjected to ultrasonography and ODI analysis on the days of estrus (day 0) and metestrus (day 4) as well as 12, 15, 18, and 21 days after insemination. The ODI values of pregnant (P) and nonpregnant (NP) cows were compared using two-way ANOVA. The P cows tended to have greater endometrial OD values than NP cows (772.2 vs. 740.5, P < 0.08), but their luteal OD values were similar (596.0 ± 24). Both endometrial and luteal OD values varied over time in different patterns in P and NP cows in relation to gestational events until confirmation. In conclusion, preliminary data, especially endometrial OD values on day 15 relative to insemination, could have prognostic merit for a very early detection or confirmation of pregnancy. ODI analysis can be incorporated into ultrasonographic examination. However, more comprehensive experiments are needed to assure the prognostic value of ODI analysis.

Ultrasonographic patterns of different regions of uterus according to pregnancy in cows and heifers

“…In a similar study conducted in sows, it was concluded that while inseminated sows showed similar MGL characteristics regardless of pregnancy, the MGL values of cyclic sows showed a decisive difference on the 12th day (Kauffold et al, 2010). Similarly, in a study in which the ultrasonographic image of the uterus was evaluated by the optic density image (ODI) analysis method, which is based on the determination of the white spot density in the image (Cengiz et al, 2017), no significant difference has been found in pregnant and nonpregnant animals. According to the data obtained from present study, it was determined that the MGV value had a significant difference between animal groups, pregnancy status, and days as the main effect, and these differences were similar in different regions (Table 1).…”

“…Imaging of the embryo structure and therefore the definitive diagnosis of pregnancy can be conducted as early as 22–24 days in cows. It can be done by observing the enlarged and vascularized vitelline sac and the primitive heartbeat of the imageable embryo (Boyd et al, 1988; Cengiz et al, 2017; Ribadu & Nakao, 1999; Silva & Ginther, 2010). Nevertheless, even in this case, it is very difficult to visualize the embryo and determine whether it is a live embryo on the mentioned days.…”

İneklerde Östrus Siklusu Süresince Uterus Ekojenitesindeki Değişikliklerin Araştırılması

“…(12,19). Bilgisayar destekli görüntü analiz programları ile domuzlarda,(16) keçilerde(3,15), Avrupa karacalarında(11), köpeklerde (20) ve ineklerde(18) kullanılmaktadır. Bu yöntemle erken gebelik döneminde ve siklusta ineklerde endometriyal ve luteal değişiklikler belirlenebilmektedir(18).Erzurum ilinde bulunan özel bir çiftlikte yürütüldü.Çalışmada 1. laktasyondaki, 3 yaşlı, aynı bakım ve besleme şartlarında barındırılan, ortalama 18 litre günlük süt verimi olan 42 adet Holstein ırkı inek kullanıldı.…”