Philippine E-Journals

M-MODE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS IN PREGNANT AND NON-PREGNANT HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN X SAHIWAL CROSSBRED DAIRY CATTLE

Jezie A. Acorda | Jesalyn L. Constante | Antonio A. Rayos | Arville Mar Gregorio A. Pajas

 

Abstract:

The study was conducted to determine the M-mode echocardiographic measurements in pregnant and non-pregnant dairy cattle and identify possible relationships between the echocardiographic measurements and pregnancy status. Ninety-one (91) 2-13 year-old Holstein-Friesian x Sahiwal crossbred dairy cattle, weighing 275-450 kg were utilized in the study. The animals were grouped by status of pregnancy into pregnant (63 animals) and non-pregnant (28 animals). Pregnant animals were further grouped into easy breeders (with 1-2 inseminations/ pregnancy) and repeat breeders (with more than 2 inseminations/ pregnancy). The heart was examined on the right thorax using an ultrasound machine equipped with a 3.5 MHz convex scanner. The cardiac structures were identified using B-mode ultrasonography and measurements were made using M-mode echocardiography. No significant differences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant animals, except for higher interventricular septum at systole in pregnant compared to non-pregnant animals. No differences were observed between easy breeders and repeat breeders. The results suggest that status of pregnancy does not affect the echocardiographic measurements. The echocardiographic values obtained in the study can be useful in diagnosing cardiovascular disorders of pregnant and non-pregnant crossbred dairy cattle.