Ultrasonography of Normal Adrenal Glands in Adult Holstein-Friesian Cows: A Pilot Study.

J Daniel Barreiro-Vázquez,Marta Miranda,Andrés Barreiro-Lois

doi:10.3390/ani10071171

J Daniel Barreiro-Vázquez, Marta Miranda + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071171

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Abstract

Simple SummaryKnowledge of the normal appearance of the abdominal organs of animals is essential for accurate ultrasound evaluation in daily clinical routine in veterinary practice. In this paper we describe, for the first time, a systematic protocol for ultrasonographic examination of the adrenal glands of cows and provide preliminary reference values for healthy adult Holstein–Friesian cows.Ultrasonographic reference values for the adrenal glands of cattle have not been reported to date. Adrenal glands can be affected by different pathologies, such as hyperplasia, neoplasia and atrophy (either primary or secondary). The present findings indicate that the right adrenal gland can be easily characterized by transabdominal ultrasound in adult Holstein–Friesian cows, with no apparent influence of age or weight. The right adrenal gland (mean length 3.86 ± 1.39 cm; and mean thickness 1.39 ± 0.26 cm) was consistently and mainly located in the 12th intercostal space. The left adrenal gland was more difficult to locate due to its more medial position, and to the presence of gas in the gastrointestinal tract, so it could not be visualized in most animals (18/25). Its mean length was 3.72 ± 0.95 cm, and mean thickness was 1.36 ± 0.33 cm, in the sagittal section. This is the first report of the ultrasonographic appearance of the adrenal glands of cows and of the corresponding reference preliminary values.

Highlights

Abdominal ultrasound is a useful and routine tool in daily clinical veterinary practice, for small animals and for equines and large ruminants
We have only found one report of the appearance of the adrenal glands determined by a diagnostic imaging technique, computed tomography (CT), in cattle [21]
As none of the measurements were influenced by age or weight, all cows were included in a none of the measurements were influenced by age or weight, all cows were included in a single singleFor group

Summary

Introduction

Abdominal ultrasound is a useful and routine tool in daily clinical veterinary practice, for small animals and for equines and large ruminants. The ultrasonographic characteristics of the major abdominal organs in cattle have been well described [1], but no description of the adrenal glands examined by B-mode ultrasound has yet been reported. Adrenal glands are part of many biological mechanisms in the body that influence and are influenced by breeding and production [2]. Adrenal glands are essential for the maintenance of homeostasis during stress, through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and the sympatho-adrenomedullary axis [3]. As described for small animals [4], in chronic stress conditions associated in cattle with handling, painful procedures and/or pathologies (including transportation, husbandry system, heat, lameness, cutaneous infections, mastitis, metritis, castration, etc.) [3] can lead to alteration in the size and weight of the adrenal glands [5,6,7].

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