Transrectal ultrasonography for measuring of combined uteroplacental thickness in pregnant Mangalarga Marchador mares

This study aimed to measure the physiological changes in the combined utero-placental thickness (CUPT) during the course of normal pregnancy in Mangalarga Marchador mares. Transrectal B-mode ultrasonography was used to measure CUPT in 42 pregnant mares with a mean age, 8.7 (+/- 3.5 years). CUPT was measured every month from 150 days of gestation until delivery. CUPT was expressed as an average of three measurements of the distance (mm) between the middle part of the uterine artery and the allantoic fluid. A General Linear Model was used to evaluate the major effects of the chronological age and stage of gestation on CUFF in mares. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.571 (P < 0.001). There was no correlation between CUFF and the chronological age of the mares, however, there was a positive correlation between CUFF and the stage of gestation, which an accounted for 29.6% of the observed variation. CUFF significantly increased during the gestational period from 210 to 240 days and 270-300 days. These results showed CUFF increased as pregnancy advanced in the Mangalarga Marchador mares. In conclusion these effects of the stage of pregnancy on the increase in cum* showed a physiological parameters of ultrasonography evaluation of the placenta in Mangalarga Marchador mares. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.