Clinical Use of B-mode and Color-doppler Ultrasonography to Evaluate Preovulatory Follicle Status in Mares

Abstract

This review will focus on the main findings of studies that used B-mode and color-Doppler ultrasonography during the preovulatory period to evaluate the morphological and blood flow/perfusion changes of the preovulatory follicle in mares. The topics to be addressed herein will be: B-mode ultrasonographic characteristics of the preovulatory follicle; blood flow and perfusion changes of the follicle wall; signs of impending ovulation; prediction of impending ovulation; types of preovulatory follicle outcomes such as ovulation, septated evacuation, hemorrhagic anovulatory follicle, atresia; vascularity of the preovulatory follicle versus fertility; and relationships between preovulatory follicle and corpus luteum blood flow in mares. [...]