Ultrasonographic Observations of the Uterine Regression in the Ewe under Different Obstetrical Conditions

Abstract

Involution of the ovine uterus after parturition was studied using real-time B-mode ultrasonography. The diameter of the uterus, the uterine lumen and the caruncles were investigated during the first 30 days post-parturition (p.p.) by transrectal and transabdominal application of the ultrasound probe. Ewes that spontaneously delivered showed a physiological regression of the uterus with a transversal diameter of 4.9 (+/- 0.86) cm on day 1 p.p. which decreased to 1.84 (+/- 0.14) cm until day 30. The course of uterine regression was established on these data and was described by the exponential equation: y = E + A * e(-b*t). 'E' means the final value on day 30 p.p. and 'A' the difference between the initial transversal diameter on day 1 p.p. minus the final value on day 30 p.p. The exponents 'b' and 't' indicate the downward gradient of the regression curve and also the factor time in days. Furthermore, we found that the uterine regression in ewes finishes approximately on day 17 p.p. The uterine involution was delayed in ewes after manual obstetrics and caesarean section, in addition the incidence for retention of foetal membranes was increased. The present study demonstrates that the ultrasonographic technique is a suitable method for the control of the uterine involution and for the diagnosis of pathological aberrations in sheep.

Ultrasonographic assessment of uterine involution and ovarian activity in West Africa Sahelian goats

“…In comparison with sheep, most studies reported slower involution and found that the uterine regression in ewes finished approximately after 30 days PP (Hayder and Ali, 2008;Rubianes and Ungerfeld, 1993), in contrast to other authors which observed the end of the uterine regression in sheep by day 17 PP (Hauser and Bostedt, 2002).…”

“…In ewes, Hauser and Bostedt (2002) described the course of uterine regression by exponential function as:…”

“…The faster reduction of uterine diameter during the early postpartum has been reviewed previously and seem to be a response of myometrial contractility that plays a major role in clearing lochial debris from the uterus after parturition (Ababneh and Degefa, 2005;Hauser and Bostedt, 2002).…”

“…Complete uterine involution is a prerequisite to the maintenance of pregnancy. The time estimated for the completion of uterine involution in sheep varies between 17 and 40 days (Ungerfeld and Sanchez-Davila, 2012;Rubianes et al, 1996;Hauser and Bostedt, 2002). In goat, completion of uterine involution and resumption of sexual activity following parturition depend on several factors, such as nutrition, parity, breed, nursing of offspring and season of parturition (Badawi et al, 2014;Delgadillo et al, 1998 Greyling, 2000).…”

Impact of body condition on postpartum features in morada nova sheep

“…Hauser and Bostedt (2002) analyzed the diameter of the uterine lumen and caruncles during the first 30 days post-partum in German Lend sheep and concluded that involution is completed at approximately day 17 after lambing, and later in animals that have been subjected to obstetric intervention, cesarean delivery, and retention of fetal membranes. In Santa Inês sheep, Nasciutti et al (2012) evaluated clinical features of uterine involution and determined a complete involution up to 28 days postpartum.…”