# Powerflow Doppler Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Mares with and Without Endometritis

## TL;DR

This study shows that Powerflow Doppler ultrasound can help detect clinical endometritis in mares during specific days of their estrous cycle.

## Contribution

The study introduces the use of Powerflow Doppler ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for equine endometritis.

## Key findings

- Powerflow Doppler ultrasound effectively detected clinical endometritis in mares on days 1, 9, and 10 of the estrous cycle.
- Subjective and objective assessments of pixel quantity and intensity showed a moderate and significant correlation.
- The study concludes that Powerflow Doppler ultrasound is a viable method for diagnosing clinical endometritis in mares.

## Abstract

Equine endometritis is considered the main reproductive pathology in the species and the cause of the greatest economic losses in reproduction due to early pregnancy failure. However, there are no reports on the use of Powerflow Doppler ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of endometritis when evaluating mares with or without endometritis. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate uterine blood flow using Powerflow Doppler ultrasound, correlating it with the estrous cycle days of mares with endometritis. The mares were divided into three groups: CG—control group with mares without endometritis; GES—group of mares with subclinical endometritis; and GEC—group of mares with clinical endometritis. After ovulation induction, the mares underwent transrectal B-mode US and uterine Powerflow Doppler ultrasound. Examinations were performed daily until the next ovulation. Based on these examinations, it can be observed that the subjective assessment, performed by Powerflow Doppler ultrasound, proved effective in detecting mares with clinical endometritis examined on days 1, 9, and 10 of the estrous cycle. It was found that the subjective and objective assessment of pixel quantity and intensity are interconnected in the evaluations. Therefore, it is concluded that Powerflow Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect mares with clinical endometritis.

There are no reports on the application of Powerflow mode Doppler ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of endometritis when evaluating mares with or without endometritis. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the blood flow of the uterine segments by Powerflow mode Doppler US, relating it to the days of the estrous cycle of mares with endometritis. The mares were separated into three groups: CG—control group with mares without endometritis; GES—group of mares with subclinical endometritis; and GEC—group of mares with clinical endometritis. With ovulation induction, the mares were monitored by transrectal B-mode US and Powerflow mode Doppler US of the uterine segments. The examinations were performed daily until the next ovulation. The subjective evaluation, performed by Powerflow mode Doppler ultrasound, proved to be efficient in detecting mares with clinical endometritis examined on days 1, 9, and 10 of the estrous cycle (p < 0.0001). It was found that subjective and objective evaluation of pixel quantity and intensity showed a significant, positive, and moderate correlation with ρ = 0.51 and ρ = 0.51, respectively (p < 0.0001). Thus, it is concluded that Powerflow Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect mares with clinical endometritis.