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Doppler evaluation of umbilical artery during normal gestation in sheep
Author(s) -
Troisi Alessandro,
Cardinali Lucia,
Orlandi Riccardo,
Menchetti Laura,
Robiteau Guillaume,
Polisca Angela
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/rda.13293
Subject(s) - umbilical artery , gestation , medicine , fetus , diastole , umbilical cord , pregnancy , blood flow , vascular resistance , in utero , ultrasound , uterine artery , doppler ultrasound , doppler effect , ultrasonography , hemodynamics , obstetrics , cardiology , biology , anatomy , surgery , blood pressure , radiology , genetics , physics , astronomy
Contents Throughout gestation, changes in foetal umbilical cord Doppler parameters in ewes were detected. Doppler ultrasonography of the umbilical artery was performed weekly starting at 18 weeks before parturition until birth. In the foetal umbilical artery (UA), systolic peak velocity (SPV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), increased ( p for within‐subjects effect <0.001) while pulsatility index (PI) resistance index (RI) decreased ( p for within‐subjects effect <0.001) with the progress of pregnancy. A linear trend was found on all patterns ( p < 0.001). In particular, the EDV values increased significantly ( p < 0.05) with respect to previous weeks, at weeks 16, 11, 10, 7, and 1 before parturition. The SPV values increased significantly ( p < 0.05), with respect to previous observations, at weeks 11, 10, and 7 before parturition. Finally, the PI and RI decreased significantly ( p < 0.05) only at week 7 before parturition. The increased velocities and reduced resistance index suggest a progressive increment in blood flow to the foetus towards the end of pregnancy. Foetal and utero‐placental vascular parameters can be reliably evaluated using high‐frequency ultrasound.