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

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 identi ed using B-mode ultrasonography and measurements were made using M-mode echocardiography. No signi cant di erences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant animals, except for higher interventricular septum at systole in pregnant compared to non-pregnant animals. No di erences were observed between easy breeders and repeat breeders. The results suggest that status of pregnancy does not a ect 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.