Philippine E-Journals

Ultrasonographic Features of the Ovarian Follicles in Apparently Healthy Locally-raised Breeding Ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Diwata D. Gonzales | Jezie A. Acorda

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

 

Abstract:

Eight apparently healthy sexually mature 4-6 years old locally-raised female ostriches were used to determine the ultrasonographic features of the ovarian follicles. Transcutaneous scanning of the featherless ventrolateral part of the left abdomen caudal to the thigh was conducted using an ultrasound machine equipped with a 3.5 MHz convex array scanner. The stage, shape, size and echogenicity of the ovarian follicles were determined. Four types of follicles were observed: a) large follicles (6.4-9.8 cm in diameter); b) small follicles (2.2-5.8 cm in diameter); c) atretic follicles (3.5-5.4 cm in diameter); and d) developing ova (2.1-2.7 cm in diameter). Large follicles appeared as anechoic round to oval structures with anechoic to hypoechoic walls. Small follicles appeared as irregular anechoic structures with hypoechoic walls, which were much smaller than large follicles. Atretic follicles appeared as irregular structures with hypoechoic center and hyperechoic walls while developing ova appeared as oval structures with hyperechoic center and hypoechoic walls. Developing ova had the highest while large follicles had the lowest echo mean values. The data obtained in the study provide baseline parameters for the ultrasound features of the ovarian follicles in apparently healthy locally-raised sexually mature female breeding ostriches which can be used for diagnosis of diseases.