Real-time B-mode Ultrasound Scanner Research Articles

The Foetal Ultrastructural Images Obtained from Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Does Using Transrectal and Transabdominal Probes of Ultrasound Scanner

Real time B-mode ultrasound scanner becomes very effective tools to detect early pregnancy diagnosis in small ruminant such as goat. Ultrasound scanner used in two way which are transrectal and transabdominal probes. Transabdominal probe used as it is less harmful than transrectal probe. The objectives of the study are: 1) to detect the ultrastructural images in non-pregnant does for artificial insemination purposes using ultrasound scanner, 2) to diagnose of difference foetal ultrastructural images obtained during gestation period using ultrasound scanner and 3) to compare the foetal ultrastructural image obtained from trans-rectal and trans-abdominal probes of ultrasound scanner. There are three pregnant does and 26 non-pregnant does with two successfully delivered out of 29 totals does chosen in this experiment. The ultrastructural images visible are ‘C’ shape placentome, heartbeat, foetus and hydrometra. It is shown that the size of heart determines the age of foetus during gestation period. At the end of this study, the farmers should be exposed to this modern way to diagnose the pregnancy and non-pregnancy in does and another ruminant. The farmer is able to manage their farm management for pregnant does and ready the non-pregnant does with culling or rebreeding for second time. The result of the study would be an alternative reference to increase the production of milk and farm management in goat industry at UDGF and Malaysia especially. The ultrasound technique to diagnose pregnancy in goats.

Evaluation of Double Ovsynch Protocol in Acyclic Jaffarabadi Heifers and Buffaloes with Respect to Ovarian Dynamics, Hormonal Profile and Fertility

Background: Anestrus is one of the most commonly encountered infertility problems in cattle and buffalo in India. Jaffarabadi is one of the heaviest buffalo breeds of the world and is a native of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The breed is known for poor reproductive efficiency. To improve its reproductive efficiency, this study was undertaken on acyclic Jaffarabadi animals employing double Ovsynch protocol and its assessment through ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical and endocrine profile on a farm. Methods: The study included acyclic post-pubertal Jaffarabadi heifers (age 42±2 and 48±2 months; Gr-I and Gr-II, n=6 each) and the postpartum lactating acyclic buffaloes (Gr-III, n=6) using a double Ovsynch protocol, which consisted of i/m injections of 20 µg Buserelin acetate on days 0, 10, 17 and 26 and 500 µg Cloprostenol sodium on days 7 and 24, with a timed insemination on day 27. Ovarian dynamics was monitored by performing ultrasonography using real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner together with blood sampling for hormonal and biochemical profile on each day of hormone therapy and then on days 0, 12, 21 and 35 post-AI. The animals inseminated at induced estrus/FTAI were followed for return to estrus, if any. Pregnancy was confirmed in non-return cases on day 35 by ultrasonography and on day 70 by per rectal examination. The findings on ovarian dynamics, plasma endocrine and biochemical profile were compared statistically between groups and periods and fertility rates between groups. Result: In animals of treatment group I and II, a significant (p less than 0.05) increase in numbers of small follicles was observed on day 26. Number of large sized follicles was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher on day 26 in comparison to day 0 and day 7 in group III animals. Large and subordinate follicular diameters increased gradually, but the differences between periods were significant (p less than 0.001) only in group III with the highest diameter of large follicle on day 17. Plasma FSH and LH concentrations differed significantly (p less than 0.001) among groups at all-time intervals. Plasma LH in group I and III differed significantly (p less than 0.001). Plasma estrogen level was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in group II than group III. Plasma progesterone concentrations in group I and II animals were significantly higher on day 35 post-AI. Plasma insulin levels were significantly (p less than 0.01) lower on all days for group III animals than group I and II. Blood glucose level was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in group I on day 17 as compared to group II and III. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in group III as compared to group I and II. The conception rates at first service/FTAI in double Ovsynch treated animals of group I, II and III were 66.66, 83.33 and 16.66 %, respectively. Thus it was concluded that ovarian structures and the plasma endocrine profile reflected the ovarian response to different hormonal injections and that double Ovsynch protocol could be a better choice for improving conception rate in post-pubertal acyclic Jaffarabadi buffalo heifers as compared to multiparous acyclic buffaloes.

Identifying Early Conception Using Ultrasound in Ovsynch Treated Postpartum Anestrus Gir Cows

The aim of this study was to detect early conception using transrectal ultrasonography in postpartum anestrus Gir cows treated with Ovsynch protocol (Group-I, n=11), keeping the same number of normal cyclic cows as control (Group-II, n=11). Ultrasonography examinations were performed using a real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner equipped with 7.5 MHz convex array transducer on day 11, 22 and 32 post-AI to monitor ovarian structures and uterine changes. Cent percent of anestrus animals responded to the Ovsynch protocol with clear signs of estrus. The conception rates at induced and second estrus in the treatment group were 45.45 and 33.33%, respectively, with an overall conception rate of 2 cycles post-treatment as 63.63%. In the control group, first service, second service and overall conception rates of 2 cycles were 36.36, 14.28 and 45.45%, respectively. The results obtained were better with the Ovsynch protocol. Ultrasound scanning on day 22 and 32 revealed visualization of the fluid and embryonic vesicle, respectively. Early embryonic death occurred in one cow out of six between days 22 and 32 post-AI in ovsynch treated group.

Body Mass Normalization for Lateral Abdominal Muscle Thickness Measurements in Adolescent Athletes.

To determine the value of allometric parameters for ultrasound measurements of the oblique external (OE), oblique internal (OI), and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscles in adolescent athletes. The allometric parameter is the slope of the linear regression line between the log-transformed body mass and log-transformed muscle size measurement. The study included 114 male adolescent football players between the ages of 10 and 19 years. All individuals with no surgical procedures performed on the trunk area and who had played a sport for at least 2 years were included. A real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner with a linear array transducer was used to obtain images of the lateral abdominal muscles from both sides of the body. A stabilometric platform was used to assess the body mass value. The correlations between body mass and the OE, OI, and TrA muscle thicknesses were r = 0.73, r = 0.79, and r = 0.64, respectively (in all cases, P < .0001). The allometric parameters were 0.77 for the OE, 0.67 for the OI, and 0.61 for the TrA. Using these parameters, no significant correlations were found between body mass and the allometric-scaled thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles. Significant positive correlations exist between body mass and lateral abdominal muscle thickness in adolescent athletes. Therefore, it is reasonable to advise that the values of the allometric parameters for the OE, OI, and TrA muscles obtained in this study should be used, and the allometric-scaled thicknesses of those muscles should be analyzed in future research on adolescent athletes.

CIDR and Ultrasound-Fetometry Scan; Comparative Study Between Sheep and Goat in Egypt

The present study aims to evaluate the impact of controlled internal drug release (CIDR) in combination with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) treatments on reproductive performance of dairy ewes and does besides, evaluation the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis during the breeding season. Twenty female animals divided as Ossimi ewes (n=10) and Baladi does (n=10) were subjected to ovsynch regimen. Ultrasonographic examinations were conducted weekly using real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner by transrectal linear and transabdominal convex probes starting from day 14 post service. This study showed that estrus response was 100% in both ewes and does. The conception rates were 90% in ewes and 80 % in does. The incidence of twining was higher in ewes when compared to that in does with incidence rate 67% and 50 in ewes and does, respectively. The accuracy of ultrasound examination for determining fetal number was 100% for single and twin pregnancy. The birth rate was 100 % for both species; and this was confirmed at lambing / kidding. In conclusion, our results indicate that using biotechnologies such as ovsynch regimen and pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasonography are useful to improve the management of reproduction in ewes and does.

Between-side symmetry of quadriceps thickness using ultrasound imaging in female golfers and non-golfers aged over 80 years

Purpose: The main goal of the research was to identify if an active, sedentary, or institutionalised lifestyle in females over 80 years produces a different profile in quadriceps symmetry to see if this is a potential biomarker for health status and physical independence. The aim of the research was two-fold: 1- to examine the influence of level and type of lifestyle activity on quadriceps asymmetry in females over 80 years. 2- to use ultrasound imaging, a well-established, rapid, simple, valid and reliable technique to obtain preliminary reference data for thickness of quadriceps muscles on dominant and not dominant lower limbs in females over 80 years across the activity spectrum. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study in a convenient sample of 42 females over 80 years old, comprising 20 active golfers from clubs in Hampshire (aged 82.75±2.12, range 80–87 years ), 10 sedentary women living independently in the local community (80.80±1.03, 80–83 ) and 12 women in residential care (88.16±6.57, 80–98). Transverse images of the anterior thigh were produced using a real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner (Imagic Agile, Pie Data, Ltd), with a 5–6.6 MHz curvilinear transducer, on the dominant and not dominant limbs. Two images of the quadriceps muscle were taken for each participant in the same session, and the mean value of the two corresponding ultrasound measurements was used in the analysis. To analyse the images offline, a Matlab algorithm was used to export the data to a Microsoft Excel file. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was utilized to assess the normality of distribution for tested variables. Comparison of quadriceps thickness between the dominant and not dominant side within each group was performed using a paired t-test when the distribution of data was found to be normal for both sides (golfers group), and using the paired Wilcoxon test for non-normally distributed data (sedentary and residential care groups). The level of asymmetry was expressed as the percentage difference of quadriceps thickness between the two sides (larger minus smaller side x 100) in each group, and the actual differences were compared between the three groups using a one-way ANOVA. The linear relationship between quadriceps thickness between the dominant and not dominant by groups (golfers, sedentary group and women in residential care) was studied using a general linear model. Results: The quadriceps thickness values were similar in the sedentary (both sides mean 1.95cm SD dominant±0.38, non-dominant±0.86) and residential care (dominant 1.93±0.84, non-dominant 1.77±0.86) groups, whereas thickness values were statistically greater on the non-dominant side in the golfers (1.92±0.34 cm, 2.10±0.50 cm on dominant and non-dominant sides respectively). The linear relationship between thickness of dominant and non-dominant limbs was significantly different between groups (p<0.001), showing asymmetry in golfers and residential care groups, but with the reverse trends: golfers had significantly greater thickness of the non-dominant quadriceps (−18% difference; p=0.014), while the residential care group had thicker muscles on the dominant side (16% difference) but this was not significant, possibly due to high standard deviations and small number of participants. The sedentary group showed high symmetry (3% difference). Fig.1. Box plots; dominant (striped) versus non dominant (solid) quadriceps thickness (cm). Conclusions: The high level of symmetry of quadriceps thickness in the sedentary group was as expected from the literature (i.e. less than 10%). The asymmetry in the residential care group, with the dominant side being larger, is a known risk of falling. The larger muscles on the non-dominant side in golfers suggest a training effect of the golf swing technique, where the leading leg (non-dominant side in right side dominant players) bears the body weight during swing through, therefore undergoing grater loading. Although using ultrasound imaging is a very accurate and useful assessment technique in community settings, the present results highlight the importance of considering activity history when interpreting results in older people, as asymmetry increases at both ends of the activity spectrum. Other training effects of golf on the musculoskeletal system in recreational players warrant investigation using mixed methods research, to examine beneficial effects on joint health and symptoms, and to gain insights for adherence strategies to enable people living with osteoarthritis to have an active lifestyle.

Continuous fascicle orientation measurement of medial gastrocnemius muscle in ultrasonography using frequency domain Radon transform

Fascicle orientation is one of the most widely used parameters for quantifying muscle function in mechanical analysis, clinical diagnosis, and rehabilitation assessment. Ultrasonography has frequently been used as a reliable way to measure the changes in fascicle orientation of human muscles non-invasively. Conventionally, most such measurements are conducted by a manual analysis of ultrasound images. This manual approach is time consuming, subjective and not suitable for measuring dynamic changes. In this study, we developed an automated tracking method based on a frequency domain Radon transform. The goal of the study was to evaluate the performance of the proposed method by comparing it with the manual approach and by determining its repeatability. A real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner was used to examine the medial gastrocnemius muscle during contraction. The coefficient of multiple correlation (CMC) was used to quantify the level of agreement between the two methods and the repeatability of the proposed method. The two methods were also compared by linear regression and a Bland–Altman analysis. The findings indicated that the results obtained using the proposed method were in good agreement with those obtained using the manual approach (CMC = 0.94 ± 0.03, difference = −0.23 ± 0.68°) and were highly repeatable (CMC = 0.91 ± 0.04). In conclusion, the new method presented here may provide an accurate, highly repeatable, and efficient approach for estimating fascicle orientation during muscle contraction.

Ultrasonographic Determination of Gestational Age in Yankasa Ewes

The aim of this study was to determine the application of transabdominal ultrasonography in estimating gestational age in Yankasa ewes through the measurement of crown-rump length (CRL), bi-parietal diameter (BPD) and femoral length (FL). Fifteen (15) ewes were first oestrus-synchronized and mated to establish pregnancy. Transabdominal ultrasonography, using a real time B-mode ultrasound scanner, was carried out on weekly basis to determine gestation and estimate gestational age by measurement of CRL, BPD and FL, using real time B-mode ultrasound scanner. The relationships between gestational age and each of the parameters were plotted as linear regression and expressed as a straight line equation. Results obtained clearly demonstrated that CRL, BPD and FL were significantly (P

Ultrasound measurements of live and carcass traits in Tswana goat kids raised under semi-intensive system in South-eastern Botswana

The aim of this study was to characterise ultrasound measurements of live and carcass traits in intact males, females and castrated Tswana goat kids from birth to 12months of age raised under semi-intensive system in South-eastern Botswana. Measurements were recorded in 15 castrates, 15 intact males and 15 female Tswana goat kids randomly selected at birth. Ultrasonic fat and muscle depths were measured at the first, third/fourth, sixth/seventh, ninth/tenth and 12th/13th thoracic; first, third and fifth lumbar and first, second/third and fourth/fifth sternal vertebrae, fortnightly for the first 6months and then monthly for the remaining 6months. The animals were stunned and humanely slaughtered at 12months of age, and ultrasound and shatterproof ruler were used to measure fat and muscle depths on the carcasses at similar sites as on live animals. A real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner fitted with LV2-1 probe operating at 7.5MHz (Explorer V5 Vet Laptop B-Ultrasonic Scanner UMC Technology Development Co., Ltd, China) was used to predict ultrasound measurements on live animals and their carcasses. Data were analysed using general linear model in statistical analysis system. Muscle depth measurements increased significantly (p < 0.05) with age in all sites of measurements. However, there was no significant difference between the sexes at different sites of muscle depth measurements at the same age. Muscle depth at the sternal vertebrae was significantly deeper (almost 55mm at 12months of age) than 16mm at thoracic and 16mm at lumbar vertebrae at 12 and 8months of age, respectively. No subcutaneous fat depth measurements were recorded in the lumbar vertebrae (0.00 ± 0.00) and the thoracic (0.00 ± 0.00) regions in all sex groups. However, fourth and fifth sternal vertebrae showed considerably deeper amount of subcutaneous fat suitable for taking fat measurements as age increases (2.07 ± 0.23mm females, 1.50 ± 0.43mm intact males and 1.80 ± 0.38mm castrates) at 12months of age. All correlations between live and carcass ultrasound measurements and also between ultrasound carcass and ruler measurements were very high (r (2) = 0.96 to 1.00) for all the sexes indicating that live ultrasound measurements are suitable for use in this meat breed. More research is needed to evaluate the relationships between live ultrasonic measurements and carcass yield in the different sexes of Tswana goat kids.

Estrus response and follicular development in Boer does synchronized with flugestone acetate and PGF2α or their combination with eCG or FSH

The effects of different estrus synchronization techniques on follicular development and estrus response were studied in 81 nulliparous Boer does. The does were divided into nine groups. Eight of the nine groups were synchronized with prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF(2α)) or flugestone acetate (FGA) or their combinations, and the ninth group was a control group. In addition to the above combinations, four of the eight synchronized groups were given 5 mg follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the remaining four groups were administered 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG). Posttreatment follicular development was monitored until ovulation occurred using a real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner (Aloka, 500 SSD, Japan), with a 7.5-MHz transrectal linear probe. All the does from the synchronized groups that were given eCG exhibited oestrus while only 88.9% of the does synchronized with FSH showed estrus. The estrus response was observed to be the least among the does synchronized with PGF(2α) + FSH (33.3%) combination followed closely by the FGA + FSH (42.9%) combinations. It was observed that the combinations of FGA + PGF(2α) + FSH resulted in increased percentage of estrus response, duration of estrus, and ovulation. The number of follicles was higher (P < 0.05) in FSH-synchronized groups than the eCG-synchronized groups. It was concluded that the best estrus synchronization protocol in goats is the FGA + eCG with or without PGF(2α). However, the PGF(2α) + FGA + FSH method of estrus synchronization is the most promising combination for further development as a better alternative to estrus synchronization with eCG in does.

Measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue using ultrasound images.

The objectives of this paper are to explore the potential of the ultrasound technique to quantify subcutaneous adipose tissue, and to explain the differences between skinfolds and ultrasound measurements across a large range of ages and levels of adiposity. The sample consisted of 115 men and 117 women aged 35 to 51 years, 132 girls and 145 boys aged 12 to 20 years. Subcutaneous fat thickness was measured at four sites using skinfolds calipers, and at seven sites using a real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and percent body fat was estimated using electric impedance. The agreement between skinfolds and ultrasound measurements was calculated for each age and sex group. The agreement between techniques, and the levels of correlation between body composition and fatness measurements were high in the sample of young men. However, the results were less consistent in the other groups. Site specific differences were also noted.

Evaluation of real time B-mode ultrasound scanning for detecting early pregnancy in cows.

A real time B-mode ultrasound scanner with a 7.5 MHz rectal linear transducer was used in two trials to detect whether dairy cows, less than 25 days after insemination at standing oestrus, were pregnant. In the first trial 17 cows were inseminated on the same day, and their reproductive tracts were examined 14, 15, 16 or 17 days after insemination. All the cows were diagnosed accurately as either pregnant or not pregnant. In the second trial 22 cows were inseminated on the day of observed oestrus while 14 were observed at oestrus but not inseminated. The animals were kept as a mixed group and an experienced operator scanned the uterus of each cow on one occasion, without knowing either the dates of observed oestrus or which cows had been inseminated. The rate of correct diagnosis was only 33 per cent in cows up to 16 days after oestrus, but increased markedly after 17 days and was 100 per cent by day 20.

Use of a high frequency transducer with real time B-mode ultrasound scanning to identify early pregnancy in cows.

The reproductive tracts of 22 Friesian dairy cows were examined from seven to 35 days after insemination using a real time B-mode ultrasound scanner with a 7.5 MHz transducer. The earliest detection of pregnancy was at nine days when a vesicle was imaged within the lumen of the uterine horn. The early conceptus was seen at day 13 within the vesicle and these structures were followed ultrasonically until day 35. There was a sudden enlargement of the vesicle at day 19 and a heart beat was detected in the embryo at day 22. The allantois was imaged at day 23 and the amnion by day 29. The embryonic outline was clearly defined by day 33 when the body cavities could be discerned. This ability to determine pregnancy at an early stage should prove to be a useful technique in investigating the problems associated with early embryonic death in cattle.