Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Equine Fetal Growth Throughout Gestation inNormal Mares Using a Convex Transducer

Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

Harutaka MURASE⁴  Mitsumori SHIKICHI³  Takeru TSUCHIYA⁵  Fumio SATO⁴  Yasuo NAMBO⁴  Yasumitsu KOTOYORI²  Katsumi ITO³  Yoshiro ENDO¹ 

[1] Miyazaki Training Farm, Japan Racing Association, 2347 Oharu, Hanagashima-cho, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki, 880�?0036, Japan;Laboratory of Clinical Science and Pathobiology, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 321�?4 Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 320�?0856, Japan;Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, 2�?4�?4 Tsukiji, Urakawa-cho, Urakawa-gun, Hokkaido 057�?0024, Japan;Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, 535�?13 Nishicha, Urakawa-cho, Urakawa-gun, Hokkaido 057�?0171, Japan;Oiwake Farm, 1233�?1 Kohyo, Oiwake, Abira-cho, Yuhfutsu-gun, 059�?1984, Japan

关键词: convex transducer;    fetal growth;    thoroughbred;    ultrasound;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.13-0259

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

References(41)Cited-By(2)It has not been common to perform regular ultrasound examination of the fetus inequine practice, due to the increasing volume of the uterus caused by fetal development.The convex three-dimensional transducer is bulb-shaped and is able to observe wide areas.In addition, its operation is simple, making it easy to create appropriate angles forvarious indices using a transrectal approach. The aim of this study was to measureThoroughbred fetal growth indices throughout gestation using a convex transducer and toclarify the detectable period of some indices for clinical use. We demonstrated changes infetal indices, such as crown rump length (CRL), fetal heart rate (FHR), fetal eye andkidney and the combined thickness of uterus and placenta (CTUP). CTUP increased from 30weeks of gestation, and FHR peaked at 8 weeks and then decreased to term. CRL could beobserved until 13 weeks due to its wide angle, longer than in previous reports. Fetal eyeand kidney could be observed from 10 and 28 weeks, respectively, and these increased withpregnancy progress. The present results showed the advantage of transrectal examinationusing a convex transducer for evaluation of normal fetal development. Althoughultrasonographic examination in mid- to late-gestation is not common in equinereproductive practice, our comprehensive results would be a useful basis for equinepregnancy examination.

【 授权许可】

Unknown