Investigation methods and U/S in reproduction medicine

Question 1

Indications for insemination (3)

Answer 1

 When natural breeding for some reason is not possible (inexperienced animals,
antipathy between dogs).

 Use of chilled or frozen semen

 Prevention of venereal diseases

Question 2

Indications for preputial cytology?

Answer 2

gathering evidence for hyperestrogenism from sertoli cell tumor in males dogs

the cytology will look similar to bitch in estrus due to the estrogen

Question 3

What should bitches not eat close to parturition?

Answer 3

raw food

Question 4

Testicular seminoma originates in

Answer 4

the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules. About half of germ cell tumors of the testicles are seminomas.

Question 5

CPSE

Answer 5

canine prostate specific esterase

Serum canine prostatic‐specific esterase (CPSE) has been recognized as a valid and specific biomarker for canine prostatic disorders because its content is higher in the serum of dogs affected by different prostatic alterations such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, bacterial prostatitis and prostate cancer.

Question 6

Testosterone stimulation test in dogs.

Answer 6

The GnRH- (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) or hCG- (human chorionic gonadotropin) response tests are useful for distinguishing fully castrated males from cryptorchid males or those with testicular remnants.

Question 7

Before confirming you can inseminate an animal you need to

Answer 7

Do thorough clinical examinations with a thorough anamnesis and reproductive history too.

Next do a gynecological examination/ genital exam if its a male dog to be collected.

Plus any necessary labs.

Question 8

If xray is used during pregnancy wait until after…?

+ when is bone mineralization in dog and cat

Answer 8

organogenesis has ended, so day 35 and longer.

Bone mineralization from day 43-46 of pregnancy in the bitch, day 38-40 in the
queen.

Question 9

Describe uterine flushing.

Answer 9

When investigating Infertility in the bitch:
* Done with videoscope, introducing a small catheter transcervically

• Flushing with sterile isotonic saline to retrieve material from the uterus.

The material is used for:
* Cytology – signs of inflammation, bacteria
* Bacteriological culture

Question 10

Describe uterine biopsy.

Answer 10

1. By videoscopy, transcervically intruducing a biopsy instrument through the cervical entrance (not necessarily representative samples and more
   superficial, than full wall
   biopsies).
2. By explorative laparotomy→ take representative full wall samples from both uterine horns and the corpus uteri.

Biopsies should be done in early diestrus (risk of pyometra) or anestrus. The tissue is sent to histopathologist (pick one specialized in dogs and cats).

Question 11

Pregnancy diagnosis with ultrasound from what gestational day?

Answer 11

Technically possible from day 19 but not recommended due to risk of disrupting implantation. Favor doing it from day 24-25 instead.

❖ Pregnant +/-
❖ You can attempt to count Number of pups/kittens but not so reliable on U/S.

Monitoring problem pregnancies by looking at fetal viability and fetal stress.

Gestational aging through fetal measurements and organ development.

Question 12

Implantation of the cat/dog embryos on

Answer 12

approx. day 22 of gestation

Question 13

Gestational aging:
Gestational sacs seen from what day?
Fetal heartbeats and movement seen from what day?

Answer 13

 Gestational sacs (about 1 cm) from day 19-21

 Fetal heartbeats and movement day 23

To determine gestational age it’s most accurate if the female is less than 37 days of pregnancy.

Question 14

Gestational aging through fetal measurements and organ development:
Day 19-37 use?
After day 37 use?

Answer 14

❖ Day 19-37 use inner chorion cavity (ICC) or crown to rump length (CRL)

❖ After day 37 use biparietal diameter (BPD) and body diameter (BD)

Question 15

ICC

Answer 15

inner chorion cavity (measurement)

• Take 2 transverse plane measurements at 90° angle.
• A minimum of 2 fetuses if possible.
• If the female is only pregnant with one fetus, use more than one method (ICC, BD, PBH, CRL).

Question 16

CRL

Answer 16

crown to rump length (measurement)

Question 17

DPTV =

Answer 17

Diencephalo-telencefalic vesicle (DPTV) on U/S of pregnant dams.

 Can be visualized from day 35 of gestation until day 58.

 A symmetric anechoic area weaved in sagittal midline in the fetal skull.

 Represents the fetal thalamus and primordial basal nucleus in the brain.

 Can be used for gestational aging and formulas are available for small, middle
and large breeds.

I guess this is the anatomy used in biparietal diameter measurement (BPD).

Question 18

Which measurements are the best?
* < day 37-40
* > day 40

Answer 18

• < day 37-40 the use of ICC has been shown to be the most accurate
  measurement for gestational aging.
• > day 40 BPD is the most accurate measurement for gestational aging.

❖ Can be combined with body diameter to increase the accuracy.

Question 19

Bias in gestational ageing.

Answer 19

Brachycephalic versus dolicocephalic breeds, litter size, giant versus mini breeds.

When comparing giant versus mini breeds:
1. Use formulas for medium dogs
2. For giant breeds take 2 days off and for mini breeds put 1 day on top.

For gestational aging we normally tell the breeds that the estimate is +/- 1-2 days

Question 20

The puppy development visialized by ultrasound:
 Day 22-25 →
 Day 23-25 →
 Day 26-27 →
 Day 27-28 →
 Day 32-34 →
 Day 35-39 →
 Day 35-39 →
 Day 39-47 →

Answer 20

 Day 22-25 → the embryo is visible along the edge of the uterus,

 Day 23-25 → heartbeat

 Day 26-27 → placenta → becomes zonary day 29-31

 Day 27-28 → the embryo is visible in the midplane, very distinct visible yolk sac

 Day 32-34 → the edges of placenta curves inside

 Day 35-39 → retraining of the yolk sac that becomes more flattened

 Day 35-39 → the bladder and the ventricle becomes visible

 Day 39-47 → the kidney and eyes becomes visible

Question 21

What is important to know about the puppies to decide if they are mature? / to plan your c-section (3)

Answer 21

 The pelvis of the kidney is well differentiated at day 57 of gestation.

 The mucosa of the intestines and lumen will be recognizable at day 58-60.

 The muscularis of the intestines and peristaltic movement will be recognizable
at day 62 in puppies.
(can be difficult to see if the bitch is panting → let her stand for the examination)

Question 22

Answer 22

the yolk sack

Question 23

Describe Fetal stress on U/S.

Answer 23

 Ultrasound is used to assess if the fetus shows signs of stress.

 Fetal heartbeat is an excellent indicator of fetal stress (due to hypoxia, insufficient energy…).

 Normal heartbeat for puppies are 2-3 x the heartbeat of the bitch (so, 190-240 bpm).

 Fetal heartbeat <140-180 Bpm indicates fetal stress and is an indication that the fetuses should be delivered by quickly, often by C-section.

Question 24

On U/S, the Fetal and maternal part of the placenta is divided by

Answer 24

a very thin hyperechoic line.

Thickness/edema of this will indicate placental separation.

After day 50 the fetal part should be up till 2/3 of the maternal part of the
placenta.

The full diameter of the placenta must not exceed 1,2 cm for all breeds.

If an underlying problem has been treated resulting in partial separation of the
placenta a successful treatment can result in reimplantation!

Question 25

The fluid surrounding the fetus on U/S.

Answer 25

 Hyperecchogenicity of the amnion fluid can be a sign of meconium or blood due
to hypoxia and separation of the placenta (but it’s normal in bulldogs).

 Increased or decreased amount of fluid surrounding the fetus may indicate
rupture of one or both fetal membranes, abnormalities in the placenta or
abnormalities of the fetus.