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da Silva P, Uscategui R, Santos V, Taira AR, Mariano R, Rodrigues M, Simões A, Maronezi MC, Avante ML, Vicente W, Feliciano M. Qualitative and quantitative ultrasound attributes of maternal-foetal structures in pregnant ewes. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53:725-732. [PMID: 29566295 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pda da Silva
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Rar Uscategui
- Department of Clinic and Veterinary Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Vjc Santos
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - A R Taira
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Rsg Mariano
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Mgk Rodrigues
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Apr Simões
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - M C Maronezi
- Department of Clinic and Veterinary Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - M L Avante
- Department of Clinic and Veterinary Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Wrr Vicente
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Mar Feliciano
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil.,Sector of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
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