مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Assessment of Fetal Growth by B-mode and Doppler Ultrasonography in Rabbit during Pregnancy

Abstract :

Fetal biometric parameters and Doppler parameters in blood flow of the umbilical artery during pregnancy in rabbits were evaluated. Ten healthy New-Zealand white female does were studied. B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic examinations were performed at 3-4 d intervals from 9 to 30 days of pregnancy. The measurements of crown rump length (CRL) biparietal diameter (BPD), trunk diameter (TD) were recorded from the most caudal of the fetus, positioned in the left uterus horn. Additionally, fetal heart rate (FHR), arterial pulsatility and resistance indices (PI and RI) were recorded from the fetal umbilical artery. Of biometric parameters, BPD values were the most correlated with the gestational age (r= 0.981). CRL and TD values were in high positive correlation with the gestational age (r= 0.972). Lower negative correlations between FHR, PI, RI and gestational age (r= -0.562), (r= -0.383) and (r= -0.730) were recorded, respectively. On the 20th day of pregnancy, umbilical artery PI was stable but RI decreased significantly (P 0.01), after then, its curve was stable until parturition. This work provides additional information that might be useful when evaluating and monitoring fetal growth. The 20 days of pregnancy might concern as a threshold stage for umbilical artery indices in the pattern of rabbit pregnancy.