In vivo and in vitro assessment of ovarian echotexture through computer assisted real time ultrasonography in bitches

Abstract

© 2017, Chartered Inst. of Building Services Engineers. All rights reserved. In vivo and in vitro assessment of canine ovaries (n=72) were studied by computer assisted real time ultrasonography to analyse the correlation between the ovarian echotexture and serum progesterone (P4) concentration. Pre- and postoperative ovarian images were taken via B-mode ultrasonography, and analysed by an image analysis software package for total area of ovary (A), mean greyness value (MGV), heterogeneity (H), and minimum-maximum pixel value (PR). The ovaries were classified into follicular or luteal stage based upon the serum P4 concentration, vaginal cytology findings, and macroscopic inspection of ovaries postoperatively. The P4 was negatively (P<0.05) correlated with A, H and PR, whereas, it’s correlation with MGV was positive (P<0.05) in follicular stage. Also, parameters A, H and PR were higher (P<0.05) in follicular stage. In vitro parameters of MGV, H and PR were higher (P<0.05) than in vivo parameters in follicular stage. Meanwhile, in luteal stage ovaries, only in vitro MGV was higher than in vivo MGV. In this study, it was observed that the relationship between ovarian echotexture and oestrous stages could be presented numerically. Moreover, the differences between the in vivo and in vitro ovarian images were more prominent in bitches in the follicular stage.