Assessment of endometrial edema and echotexture in natural and hormonally manipulated estrus in mares

摘要

A recent trend in the clinical application of imaging technology is to couple diagnostic ultrasonography with computer-assisted image analysis to assess changes in ovarian or uterine tissue through digital evaluation of the pixels in the image [1-3]. Ultrasound imaging is used to monitor mares to determine the effectiveness of hormonal therapy for the induction of estrus and ovulation (ov). During natural estrus, changes in endometrial edema have been reported, but the relationship and the effect of prostaglandin (PG) F-2#alpha# and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the echotexture of the endometrium has not been fully evaluated [4,5]. A better understanding and assessment of changes in endometrial edema may help to optimize breeding management. The objectives of our study were to: (I) characterize and compare changes in endometrial echotexture using a subjective scoring system and computer--assisted ultrasound image analysis; (2) evaluate the effect of location within the uterus and the influence of the dominant follicle on endometrial echotexture; and (3) characterize the effect of PG or PG with hCG on the change in the endometrial echotextural pattern during estrus.