Publikationsdatenbank

Evaluation of short-term safety of ultrasound guided foetal fluid sampling in the dog (Canis lupus familiaris) (2022)

Art

Vortrag

Autoren

Tal, Smadar

Arlt, Sebastian Patrick (WE 19)

Kongress

23rd Congress of the European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction (EVSSAR)

online, 01. – 02.10.2021

Quelle

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene

Bandzählung: 57

Heftzählung: Supplement 2

Seiten: 61 – 62

ISSN: 0936-6768

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/rda.14066

DOI: 10.1111/rda.14066

Kontakt

Tierklinik für Fortpflanzung

Königsweg 65
Haus 27
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62618
fortpflanzungsklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Introduction: In humans, analysis of amniotic fluid is widely used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Amniocentesis has scarcely been used in veterinary medicine to date, yet may have tremendous potential for clinical and research applications in dogs. The aim of our study was to establish a method of foetal fluid sampling in the bitch, as well as to assess safety aspects of the methodology. We hypothesized that as a result of foetal fluid sampling, signs of injury will be detected macroscopically on the uterine surface, allantoic and amniotic sacs, or conceptus’s skin, in less than 10% of puncture sites in the uterus.
Approach: Foetal fluid collection procedures were performed on a cohort of 21 healthy intact pregnant bitches. Gestational age was assessed by measuring biparietal head diameters (BPD) of fetuses using ultrasonography. Two transabdominal ultrasound guided methods were assessed: the “free hand” and the needle- guided bracket sampling. Both techniques were used on most bitches. In addition, through a subsequent routinely scheduled ovariohysterectomy, fluid was directly collected. Samples from 98 conceptuses were collected at day 46.7 ± 7.5 of pregnancy. Results: The mean number of conceptuses sampled per bitch ( n = 21) was 4.7 ± 2.1 (range 1– 8 conceptuses). Fetal fluid from 40 fetuses was collected using the free hand technique, and from 58 fetuses it was collected using the needle guided method. Fetuses sampled were located on both the left ( n = 37) and right ( n = 46) uterine horns, and in the uterine body ( n = 11). The amount of fluid retrieved varied between 0.5 and 5.0 milliliters per collection. Macroscopic examination of the uterus and conceptuses identified 53% of the puncture sites. Neither fluid leakage nor foetal injury was detected, and six hematomas (5.8%) were visible. Ultrasound guided foetal fluid collection was found to be potentially safe, and can be performed by using either transabdominal method.
Interpretation: The main conclusion from this study is that percutaneous foetal fluid collection between days 35 and 62 from ovulation via centesis causes only little short- term damage to the uterus, the extraembryonic membranes and the fetus. The same outcomes were gained for amounts of foetal fluid retrieval, and the incidence of injuries was low for both ultrasound- guided procedures. In accordance with our hypothesis, we can confirm that in less than 10% of sampling punctures in the uteri and conceptuses, clinically relevant signs of injury were detected. It is possible that microscopic injuries occurred as a result of the centesis, and were not identified. For these it can be assumed that they would not have been of clinical relevance.
Further studies, with a larger cohort and a follow- up to an examination of newborn puppies postpartum are required in order to evaluate the possible long- term effects of foetal fluid centesis procedure on the canine pregnancy, and on the sampled offspring. Pending future studies on long term safety, the procedure may be considered as a routine method, with minimal injury.