Reproduction and ultrasound examination in cattle

1. Importance of the use of ultrasonography in dairy cattle

Economic aspects

Technical aspects

Uterus

Foetus

Ovaries

2. Ultrasound technology

Principles of ultrasound technology

What is ultrasound?

What is a sound wave?

What is a wave?

Characteristics of waves

How are they propagated?

Practical application of the technology

Practical definition

How is ultrasound produced?

How is it emitted?

Interpretation of the result of wavetissue interaction

Acoustic impedance

Attenuation

The ultrasound scanner

Structure of the ultrasound scanner

Types of transducers or probes

Ultrasound scanning modes

Ultrasound gel

Scanner controls

Appearance of artefacts

Acoustic shadowing

Posterior enhancement

Edge shadowing

3. The oestrous cycle

Introduction

Follicular waves

Recognition of structures

Examination procedure

Recognition of ovarian structures

Recognition of uterine structures

Overall assessment of the cycle

Recognition of structures

Series of images for recognition of structures

4. Periodic examination and ultrasonography. Practical use

Periodic ultrasound examination

Routine procedures

Postpartum examination/involution/infection (- days postpartum)

Examination of the uterus, development of follicular waves and days open (- days)

Detection of pregnancy (- days to days)

Confirmation of pregnancy and foetal sexing (- days)

Interpretation of the different ultrasound sections

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane

Sagittal plane

Foetal measurements

Other non-routine uses of ultrasonography

Embryo transfer

5. Ultrasonography and pathological conditions

Pathological conditions of the uterus

Endometritis

Pyometra

Mucometra

Embryo resorption

Pathological conditions of the ovaries

Ovarian cysts

Follicular cysts

Luteal cysts

Anoestrus

6. Bibliography