Advances in ultrasonography and its applications in domestic ruminants and other farm animals reproduction

Ultrasound techniques are becoming increasingly important in animal reproduction, offering both a mean of diagnosis and a useful therapeutic tool. Accordingly, understanding the use of ultrasound technology is critical in contemporary animal sciences, since ultrasound examinations are now a routine component of diagnostic workups in reproduction. Ultrasound technology offers the assessment of pregnancy status and foetal viability early post breeding in order to identify animals that fail to conceive, improving reproductive efficiency; early identification of animals carrying twin foetuses, allowing for the implementation of differential management strategies to avoid the negative effects of twinning on general health of the mother animal and also at parturition; and the visualisation of ovarian and uterine pathologies not accurately detected via rectal palpation, allowing appropriate therapies to be implemented. In addition, determination of foetal sex in utero can be done by ultrasonography. The new information that has been generated through ultrasound has thrown light on therapeutic uses, thereby opening up new areas for research. Moreover, ultrasound-guided interventional techniques can be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. In this review, advances and applications of ultrasonography in domestic animal reproduction are reviewed

Efficacy of Co-synch Protocol on Normal Cyclic Dairy Cows with or Without Corpora Lutea

Improving reproductive efficiency, estrus synchronization and controlled breeding protocols are efficient management techniques in dairy cows. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare the efficacy of Co-synch protocol in the cows carrying corpora lutea (CL), without CL or with unexamined ovarian structure. Fifty-six cows were divided into 4 groups; control group1 (n=12) and Co-synch treated groups; group2: cows with unexamined ovarian structure group (n=9), group3: cows having only follicles without mature Cl (n=16) and group4: cows having mature Cl (n=19). Ultrasonography was performed before and after gonadotropin (GnRH) injection. Blood was collected for analysis of progesterone (P4) and estradiol 17-ß. Reproductive data was obtained regarding 1st service conception rate (1st SCR), number of services/conception (s/c) and days open. Ultrasonography revealed luteinization in cows without mature CL. While those having mature CL showed increase in the size of the CL or formation of accessory CL. Results revealed significant decrease in serum P4 before GnRH treatment in cows having no mature CL. Significant increase in serum P4 levels in all groups was recorded after GnRH treatment. Besides, the highest P4 level was assessed in cows having mature CL. Estradiol 17-ß was significantly decreased in cows having mature CL before and after treatment. Cows having mature CL revealed significant upgrade in the percentage of 1st SCR, decrease in s/c and shortening in days open as compared with other groups. In conclusion, applying Co-synch to the cows carrying CL is beneficial and promises protocol to improve reproductive performance in dairy cows