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Trop Anim Health Prod (2006) 38:267274
DOI 10.1007/s11250-006-4384-6ORIGINAL ARTICLEApplication of ultrasonography in the study of the
reproductive system of tropical jennies (Equus asinus)A. Lemma H. J. Schwartz M. BekanaSpringer Science + Business Media B.V. 2006Abstract The use of high-frequency (5 MHz) ultrasonography was studied in 11 jennies (7 non-pregnant
and 4 pregnant) to characterize the reproductive organs and follicular activities at different stages of reproduction. The result showed close similarity with the
mare. The visibility of endometrial folds increased towards ovulation. A positive correlation (p < 0.001; =0.79) was found between the score of the folds
and the size of the dominant follicle. The diameter of
the uterus and the size of the dominant follicle were
significantly correlated (p < 0.001; = 0.80). In pregnant jennies, an embryonic vesicle was detectable at
14 days. Follicular growth was characterized by more
than one wave. The smallest ovarian follicle was 2 mm
and the largest 40 mm. Depending on the reproductive stage, up to 13 follicles were detected per ovary.
After monitoring 84 cycles, a mean (SD) diameter
of 34.4 3.6 mm (27.540.2 mm) of the preovulatory
follicle and 67.85% incidence of single ovulation were
found. The mean (SD) interovulatory interval was25.7 6 days. This study proved that high-frequency
ultrasonography is highly effective in characterizingA. Lemma ([envelopeback]) M. Bekana
Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
PO Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopiae-mail: lemma [email protected]. J. SchwartzHumboldt University of Berlin, Institute of Animal
Sciences, Livestock Ecology Unit, Phillippstr 13, 10115
Berlin, Germany
the reproductive organs and follicular activity of jennies
and could be useful in the reproductive management of
donkeys.Keywords Follicular activity . Jennies . Reproductive
organs . UltrasonographyAbbreviationsCL corpus luteumIOI interovulatory interval
RIA radioimmunoassayAccepted: 9 March 2006CIntroductionDiagnostic ultrasound is the a non-invasive technique
for imaging soft tissues and accurate assessment of
the size, shape, position and texture of soft tissues
in different animals. The more recent uses have been
demonstrated in different species of large domestic animals such as horses (Godoi et al., 2002; Pycock, 2002;
Watson et al., 2003), cattle (Garcia et al., 1999; Noble et al., 2000), and camelids (Skidmore et al., 1996).
The introduction of transrectal ultrasonography to evaluate the dynamic changes of the equine uterus has
been a major advance in equine reproduction...