The techniques and applications of ultrasonography for detection of pathological reproductive organs in cattle [Bos taurus] and horses [Equus caballus]

The morphological and pathological status of the reproductive organs in cattle and horses were observed using a liner-array ultrasound scanner with a 5.0 MHz transducer, and then their image were confirmed by examination in a water- bath and/or post-slaughter. Several pathological conditions and the ultrasonic properties of the reproductive organs were characterized. From 22 days after artificial insemination, the fetal sac of cattle could be image d in uterine cavity ipsilateral to the ovary with a echogenic corpus luteum. The pregnancy of mare was also detected as early as 11 days after final breeding. Ovarian follicular cysts, cystic corpus luteum and luteal cyst in cattle were visualized, clearly, and luteinized cysts were also observed after treatment. The change in shape and size of granulosa-cell tumor, ovaritis, ovarian bleeding, and other ovarian diseases in cattle and horses were accurately observed by ultrasound. Cysts contained nonechogenic fluid in endometrium in mares were usually compartmentalized. Ultrasonography may be a good prediction of myometritis and papiloma in cows. In cases in which CO2 escaped into abdominal cavity through the oviduct in cattle, it was verified by ultrasound. The hypoechoic image was useful in monitoring one sided comptete blockage of the oviduct. Penile hematoma, oscheitis, testitis, testicular tumor, cryptorchism, and seminal vesiculitis in cattle and horses could be easily monitored using ultrasound. The results indicate that ultrasound technology provides noninvasive tools of visual access to the reproductive organ to evaluate normal morphological changes and to detect certain pathological processes.