Ultrasonography of the reticulum in 30 healthy Saanen goats

Abstract

BackgroundThe reticulum plays a crucial role in the ruminant digestive tract because the primary cycle of rumen motility always starts with a reticular contraction. In contrast to cattle, there are only few results on the ultrasonographic examination of the reticulum in goats. Therefore, it was the goal of the present study, to describe the results of ultrasonography of the reticulum of 30 healthy Saanen goats.MethodsUltrasonography was carried out on standing, non-sedated animals using a 5.0 MHz linear transducer. The shape, contour and motility of the reticulum were investigated. A nine-minute video recording of the reticulum was made for each goat and the frequency, duration and amplitude of reticular contractions were calculated as described for cattle.ResultsThe reticulum appeared as a crescent-shaped structure with a smooth contour located immediately adjacent to the diaphragm. 0.8 to 2.1 (1.41 ± 0.31) reticular contractions were seen per minute. In all goats, biphasic reticular contractions were observed. 90% of the goats also had monophasic reticular contractions, and two had triphasic contractions. During the nine-minute observation periods, there were 0 to 6 monophasic reticular contractions and 6 to 15 biphasic contractions per goat. The duration of the biphasic contractions was 6.56 ± 0.74 s, which was significantly longer than the monophasic contractions at 4.31 ± 0.81 s. The average interval between two reticular contractions was 45.06 ± 12.57 s.ConclusionUltrasonography of the reticulum in goats is a valuable tool to characterise the appearance and motility of this organ. In addition to the biphasic motility pattern seen in cattle the reticular motility of goats is characterized by monophasic reticular contractions. The results of the present study are an important contribution for better understanding of the reticular motility in goats.

Selected studies on foreign body impaction in goats with special reference to ultrasonography

“…The average monophasic reticular contraction was shorter than a biphasic contraction and the frequency of mono-phasic contractions was lesser than that of biphasic contractions. This result was similar to that reported in goats [11] The thickness of reticular wall 0.4-0.7 cm (0.5±0.09) and the distance between reticulum and abdominal wall 0.03-0.06 cm (0.04±0.01) were in agreement with Braun and Jacquat [11].…”

“…The reticulum appeared as a crescent shape and located immediately behind the diaphragm. This finding is in agreement with Braun and Jacquat [11]. Biphasic contractions, have also been observed in cattle [20,21] while monophasic one was observed only in goats [11] and never seen in other species…”

“…The rumen was examined from dorsal to ventral according to the method described by [10]. Moreover, reticulum was examined at ventral abdomen behind xiphoid cartilage as well as left and right paramedian [11]. Shape, contour, thickness of reticular wall, distance between reticulum and abdominal wall, reticular motility and relaxation period were assessed.…”

Ultrasonography of normal reticulum in 30 healthy buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

“…Moreover, by repeated examination, interassay coefficient of variation could be calculated. As previously mentioned by Braun and Jacquat (2011), repeated examination provides accurate result only when the animals are examined under the same condition.…”

“…Fluid filled catheter, laparotomy, and laparoscopy were used as invasive means (Wilson & Ferguson 1984;Okine et al 1989), while radiography and ultrasonography were used as noninvasive methods (Partington & Biller 1991;Braun et al 1993). Numerous ultrasonographic studies were performed on normal appearance of reticulum in healthy cows (Floeck 2006) sheep, and goats (Kaske et al 1994;Braun & Jacquat 2011). Moreover, ultrasonography was used to assess the reticular motility in healthy cows under different conditions of rest, eating, rumination, and stress (Braun & Rauch 2008) and under effect of various drugs (Braun et al 2002;El-khodery & Sato 2008).…”