Aus der Ambulatorischen und Geburtshilflichen Tierklinik der ...

7 SUMMARY
Bent von dem Bussche-Hünnefeld
Sonographic grey-scale analysis of the pig uterus during the oestrous cycle and early gestation
Large Animal Clinic for Theriogenology and Ambulatory Services Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Leipzig
Submitted in July 2007
69 pages, 18 figures, 10 tables, 157 references, 1 annex
Key words: female pig, sonography, greyscale analysis, uterus, early gestation
The aim of this study was to investigate with the aid of greyscale ultrasonographic analysis
whether the pig uterus is subject to specific echogenicity changes during the cycle and
gestation. It should also be elicited as to whether greyscale analysis is suitable for pregnancy
diagnosis in the pig and particularly in very early gestation.
The investigations involved in total 106 gilts (n = 85) and sows (21). A HS-2000 ultrasonic
device and multi-frequency linear transducer were used for the sonographic greyscale
analysis. The examination took place transcutaneously in the right stifle fold. The device
settings were constant. On average 6.4 ± 2.1 ( x ± SD) sections of the uterus were investigated
and portrayed with a defined zone per examination, appraised for their grey scale and
designated as a mean grey value (echogenicity) per animal and investigation.
Two sows were examined and observed over in total 19 successive days; the repeated
application of contact gel had no influence on the results of the greyscale analysis.
The oestrous cycle was synchronised in a total of 15 Piétrain (n = 7) and German Landrace
gilts (n = 8), 7 sows were inseminated in the subsequent second oestrus, the ovulation time
point determined sonographically and greyscale analysis carried out daily until the 16 th day
(inseminated sows) and day 22 (non-inseminated sows) post ovulation (po). All animals were
pregnancy tested sonographically on day 21 po. It could be demonstrated that the uterine
echogenicity rose evenly until day 11 in early gestating and cycling sows. Whilst this increase
was maintained until day 13 in cycling sows, the echogenicity fell abruptly until day 13 in
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