The aim of this study was to examine foetal organs and placental tissue to establish a correlation between the changes in the composition of these structures associated with their maturation and the ultrasonographic characteristics of the images. Twenty-four pregnant ewes were included in the study. Ultrasonography assessments were performed in B-mode, from the ninth gestational week until parturition. The lungs, liver and kidneys of foetuses and placentomes were located in transverse and longitudinal sections to evaluate the echogenicity (hypoechoic, isoechoic, hyperechoic or mixed) and echotexture (homogeneous and heterogeneous) of the tissues of interest. For quantitative evaluation of the ultrasonographic characteristics, it was performed a computerized image analysis using a commercial software (Image ProPlus ). Mean numerical pixel values (NPVs), pixel heterogeneity (standard deviation of NPVs) and minimum and maximum pixel values were measured by selecting five circular regions of interest in each assessed tissue. All evaluated tissues presented significant variations in the NPVs, except for the liver. Pulmonary NPVmean, NPVmin and NPVmax decreased gradually through gestational weeks. The renal parameters gradually decreased with the advancement of the gestational weeks until the 17th week and later stabilized. The placentome NPVmean, NPVmin and NPVmax decreased gradually over the course of weeks. The hepatic tissue did not show echogenicity and echotexture variations and presented medium echogenicity and homogeneous echotexture throughout the experimental period. It was concluded that pixels numerical evaluation of maternal-foetal tissues was applicable and allowed the identification of quantitative ultrasonographic characteristics showing changes in echogenicity related to gestational age.

RESUMENLa incidencia de cáncer de próstata ha incrementado el uso de los marcadores celulares para detectar el cáncer en este tejido. Antígenos específicos del tejido o antígenos de diferenciación se encuentran en la superficie de las células normales. Clínicamente, estos antígenos son importantes para el diagnóstico de alteraciones en estos tejidos y para la inmunoterapia. Este estudio trata de evaluar la importancia de la fosfatasa ácida prostática en la próstata canina e investigar su concentración en el suero y en el plasma seminal de perros saludables de diferentes edades. La concentración de fosfatasa ácida prostática en el plasma seminal y en el suero fue evaluada por espectrofotometría, utilizando un kit comercial. Los niveles de la fosfatasa ácida prostática (PAP) no fueron diferentes de acuerdo con la edad y no presentaron correlación con la edad o con las dimensiones de las próstatas verificadas por ecografía. Los valores de concentración de PAP presentaron una gran variación en cada grupo. Sin embargo, son necesarios más estudios para evaluar el papel de la fosfatasa ácida prostática en la próstata canina y su importancia como una prueba de diagnóstico para los trastornos de la próstata.Palabras clave: fosfatasa ácida prostática, próstata, plasma seminal, suero. SUMMARYThe incidence of prostatic malignancy has increased the use of tissue markers to detect cancer. Tissue specific antigens or differentiation antigens are found on the surface of normal cells. Clinically, these antigens are important to diagnose alterations in the tissues and for immunotherapy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prostatic acid phosphatase concentration in blood and seminal plasma of intact and healthy dogs at different ages. The evaluation was carried out by spectrophotometer, using a commercial kit. The prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) levels did not differ according to the age and did not correlate with age or prostatic dimensions verified by ultrasonography. The PAP concentration values varied greatly within each group. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate the role of prostatic acid phosphatase in the canine prostate and its importance as a diagnostic test for prostate disorders.