Düzeltme: The vascularity of preovulatory follicle: The Colour–Doppler assessment and its predictive value in the early pregnancy outcome in Arabian Mares

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the amount of vascularization in the preovulatory follicle wall and pregnancy establisment with colour Doppler ultrasonography. Colour Doppler ultrasonography images from 26 Arabian mares in breeding season were evaluated in the study. Mares no abnormalities in the reproductive system and mild-manner mares were handled. Preovulatory follicle (>35mm) was monitored twice in a day by transrectal B-mode ultrasonography and colour Doppler ultrasonography until the ovulation day. Follicular vascularization images which were incorporated into the study, were monitored 18 hours before the ovulatio Also amount of pixels in colour Doppler images were evaluated with computer-based image analysis program. The mares were mated naturally with a stallion. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography on day 14 to day 30 after mating. As a result of ultrasonography examination, mares were divided into two groups as pregnant (n=13) and non-pregnant (n=13). The statistical difference between the amount of vascularization in the preovulatory follicle wall of pregnant mares and the amount of vascularization in the preovulatory follicle wall of non-pregnant mares was compared by t-test. As a result of the study, there were no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant mares in terms of area, volume and intensity units of coloured pixels in the preovulatory follicle wall (P> 0.05). In conclusion, it was observed that the quantative evaluation of the colour Doppler images of the preovulatory follicle wall in mares in the breeding season cannot be used to estimate the early pregnancy outcome.