Assessment of feto-placental well-being in the mare from mid-gestation to term: Transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonographic features

Bucca, S.; Fogarty, Ursula; Collins, Anna; Small, V.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.011

Cited by 119 publications

(121 citation statements)

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“…Useful data were collected from late-term pregnant mares (n = 150) with normal pregnancies by Bucca et al (2005), who also made a validation study to compare the ultrasound measurements to actual organ sizes (n = 6). A positive correlation was found between the ultrasonographic and the actual measurements, but both the differences and the correlations were significant (P < 0.05).…”

Section: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 62 2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 3 out of 6 cases the difference between sonographic and postmortem measurements was more than 13 mm. Therefore, it was concluded that more data were needed before performing ultrasonographic validation (Bucca et al, 2005).…”

Section: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 62 2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The size of the clipped area depends on the gestational age (Pipers and Adams-Brendemuehl, 1984;Reef, 1998;Bucca et al, 2005). In late-term mares, this area usually extends from the mammary gland to the xiphoid process and includes both sides of the abdomen (Fig.…”

Section: Patient Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been reported that fetal breathing movements are present in lateterm human and equine fetuses and their absence can be a sign of acute fetal hypoxia (Manning et al, 1984;Reef et al, 1995Reef et al, , 1996Palmer, 2000;Bucca et al, 2005). Fetal breathing movements are best visualised by watching the movement of the fetal diaphragm in relation to the fetal ribs.…”

Section: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 62 2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Allantoic fluid (in the majority of cases) and amniotic fluid are anechoic until late gestation and, in the horse near term, increased echogenicity can occur with small particles floating in the allantoic fluid (Reef et al, 1995(Reef et al, , 1996Bucca et al, 2005). However, in late-term cows, amniotic fluid is considered more echoic and allantoic fluid appears as a clear fluid (Buczinski, 2009).…”

Section: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 62 2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transabdominal ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal well-being in the late-term mare and cow

Vincze

Baska

Szenci

2014

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica

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In the equine practice, attempts have been made to examine the fetus in the second and third trimester of pregnancy but all of the available methods have limitations. Until now, transabdominal ultrasonography has been regarded as the most informative examination. This method allows us to measure fetal heart rate, fetal activity as well as the quality and quantity of the fetal fluids. A modified biophysical profile for horses was used by several researchers in the USA from the 1990s as a gold standard. However, it is not sensitive enough and, in the authors' experience, professionals can face difficulties during its application (e.g. for measuring aortic diameter and fetal breathing movements). In cows, this method was first used for this purpose by a Canadian research group in 2007. They reported that transabdominal ultrasound was promising but showed low sensitivity in this species. The present studies show that birth weight cannot be predicted from fetal aortic diameter measurement in cows as suggested by other researchers. Transabdominal ultrasound needs special equipment (2-3.5 MHz convex transducer) and basic ultrasonographic knowledge; however, we suggest that in most cases it can be performed with the dam placed in a stock and without shaving the examination area. The method provides useful information within 30-40 minutes, enabling the examiner to determine whether or not the fetus is alive and to recognise placentitis or twins. This technique also allows measuring the combined thickness of the uteroplacental unit, and the authors' ongoing study showed higher normal values in Lipizzaner mares compared to values in other breeds. In conclusion, with the help of advanced techniques, simple and low-cost methods should be developed for the evaluation of the pregnant dam and its fetus to assess fetal viability in the veterinary practice.

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Section: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 62 2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 62 2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Patient Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%