Doppler Ultrasonography Assessment of Uterine Artery Blood Flow Throughout Late Pregnancy in Awassi Ewes

Abstract

Monitoring uterine blood flow during pregnancy provides information about fetal development. The aim of this study was to determine changes in uterine artery blood flow in the second half of pregnancy in Awassi sheep. The study included a total of 20 sheep with a single pregnancy, separated into 4 groups according to the period of the pregnancy, as 90-105-120-135 days. By monitoring the uterine artery blood flow with Doppler ultrasound, measurements were taken of the pulsatilite index (PI), resistance index (RI), end diastolic velocity (EDV), peak systolic velocity (PSV), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), and time-averaged peak (TAP). The data obtained were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA (variance analysis). Throughout the pregnancy periods, a time-related significant difference was seen between the groups in respect of the PSV, EDV, TAP, PI, RI, and S/D values (p<0.01). The PSV, EDV, and TAP values were observed to be significantly higher on the 135th day of the pregnancy compared to the 90th, 105th, and 120th days (p<0.05). The PI value was seen to be significantly lower on the 135th day compared to the 90th and 105th days (p<0.05). The RI value was seen to be significantly lower on the 135th day compared to the 105th, and 120th days (p<0.05). The S/D value was seen to be significantly higher on the 135th day compared to the 120th day (p<0.05). Statistically significantly differences were observed in the changes in the uterine artery blood flow in the second half of the pregnancy of Awassi sheep. It was concluded that as the vast majority of fetal development occurs in the second half of the pregnancy, determination of changes in Doppler ultrasound parameters would be useful for the earlier diagnosis of risks that could be life-threatening to both the ewe and lamb.

Keywords

• Doppler ultrasound
• sheep
• uterine artery
• pulsatilite index
• resistance index

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