Correlation of blood flow of the preovulatory follicle to its diameter and endocrine profile in dairy buffalo.

Blood flow of the preovulatory follicle (POF) wall can be used as a predictor of the quality of POF. Our aim was to determine the correlation of blood flow of POF with the POF diameter, and intra-follicular and plasma concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-1) and oestradiol in dairy buffalo. Nine Murrah buffalo subjected to an ovulation synchronization protocol (Ovsynch) were assessed on day 10 of the protocol for diameter and blood flow of POF, followed by the aspiration of follicle fluid. Prior to follicular aspiration, blood samples were obtained from jugular vein for estimation of IGF-1 and oestradiol. The vascularity of POF was determined (Range: 250-967 pixel(2) ) along with intra-follicular and plasma concentration of IGF-1 (Range: 9.3-31.8 ng/ml and 14.7-29.7 ng/ml respectively) and oestradiol (Range: 124.2-447.9 ng/ml and 0.25-1.05 ng/ml respectively). Diameter of the POF was weakly correlated (r = 0.21, p < 0.01) with blood flow to it. As compared to POF diameter, the blood flow of POF had greater positive correlation with intra-follicular and plasma concentrations of hormones (IGF-1 and oestradiol). A strong positive correlation was recorded between intra-follicular IGF-1 and oestradiol. Also, plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were negatively correlated In brief, assessment of the blood flow of the POF is a non-invasive and reliable indicator of its functional competence as compared to the POF diameter.

Uterine blood flow during various stages of pregnancy in dairy buffaloes using transrectal Doppler ultrasonography.

Reference data to assess function and perfusion of uteroplacental tissues by assessment of uterine blood flow parameters is not available in buffaloes. The objective of the present study was to assess and quantify blood flow parameters at various stages of gestation. A total of 54 Murrah buffaloes, six animals at every month of gestation, from two months to ten months, were subjected to transrectal Doppler ultrasonography to assess uterine blood flow in both the middle uterine arteries. Resistance and pulsatility indices, velocity and volume of blood flow, diameter of the artery and notch signal were measured for different waveforms. The resistance index value was positively correlated with pulsatility index (r=0.94, P<0.05) but negatively correlated with all other parameters for both arteries, ipsilateral and contralateral to the fetus. With a significant advancement of pregnancy, there was reduction in resistance index with a significant increase in velocity, volume of blood flow and diameter in both arteries. There was a significant increase in the volume and velocity of blood flow (P<0.05) during the last trimester with increased growth demands of the fetus. The notch signal disappeared by 20-24 weeks. Thus, transrectal Doppler ultrasongraphy proved to be a useful non-invasive method to assess the uterine blood flow during pregnancy in buffaloes. This could be a valuable tool to ascertain hemodynamic changes in complicated pregnancy (e.g. abnormalities in uterine blood flow/placenta/fetus) and its extent of deviation from normal.

Successful management of metastatic transmissible venereal tumour to skin of mammary region.

A Dalmatian female presented with a history of vaginal bleeding and was diagnosed as having transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) after cytological examination of the vaginal growth revealed typical TVT cells. A cytology of the aspirate from multiple nodules in the skin near the abdominal and inguinal pair of mammary glands revealed similar cells suggestive of metastasis to skin of mammary region. Chemotherapy was initiated with weekly injections of vincristine sulphate (0.025 mg/kg BW, IV, SID) and haematological examination was performed pre- and post-treatment to assess the prognosis of the patient and side effects of the drug. The major side effects observed during the course of the treatment were high body temperature, mild neutropaenia and significant decrease in packed cell volume, haemoglobin, total leucocyte and erythrocyte count. Four weekly injections of vincristine were administered, and 4 weeks from initiation of treatment, the tumour and nodules were gone, suggesting complete recovery.