Evaluation of the uterine wall echotexture changes following an induced abortion in mid–term pregnant bitches: preliminary study

The objective of this study was to evaluate structural echotexture changes in the uterine wall following abortion induction in bitches during the late embryonic/mid–gestation stage and to develop an evaluation method for the abortion process. A total of 10 healthy pregnant bitches of different breeds, ranging from 25 to 40 days (d) of gestation, were included in this study. In Group 1 (n=5), Aglepristone (10 mg·kg-1 bw, sc) was administered once daily for two consecutive d. In Group 2 (n=5), a combination of Aglepristone, Cabergoline, and Misoprostol was used for induction of abortion (IA). Prior to the induction of abortion, and at 24–hour intervals until completion of abortion (CA), the uterus and placenta were sonographically examined. Additional examinations were conducted on d 1 (CA+1), d 7 (CA+7), and d 14 (CA+14) after the abortion process was completed. Blood samples were taken on the same days to detect serum progesterone (P4) levels. Selected echotexture parameters (homogeneity, contrast, gradient, and entropy) were assessed on sonographical images using image analysis software (Bs200Pro®). Contrast and gradient values significantly decreased on d CA, CA+1 and CA+7 compared to the IA state (P