Study of the effect of size and number of fetuses on uterine artery hemodynamics of pregnant bitches

• Grant number: 21/15187-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Del Rio Pinoti
• Grantee: Ricardo de Souza Buzo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMVA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pregnancy in bitches is a period of a high incidence of reproductive disorders, which offer risks to the life of the pregnant woman and the puppies. The monitoring of this stage involves tools and tests that promote the evaluation of maternal and fetal parameters whose main objective is to detect possible problems in this period. The ultrasonographic exam is one of these. The same is of paramount importance because it provides information about the organogenesis and biometry of the offspring, besides allowing to calculate the gestation time in which the female is and analyze the maternal-fetal blood circulation. Based on this, research in veterinary medicine focused on the evaluation of the uterine artery resistance index has been showing promise as a way to assist in the evaluation of pregnancy. This parameter reflects the resistance of the vessel to blood flow, and this technique is used to monitor high-risk pregnancies in women. In view of the above, the aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the uterine artery resistance index as a parameter in pregnant bitches, taking into account the effects generated by the size of the female and the different number of fetuses. For this, it will be evaluated pregnant bitches received for gestational monitoring in the Veterinary Hospital "Luiz Quintiliano de Oliveira" from UNESP Araçatuba - SP, measuring and collecting several information about them, including their resistance index. It is emphasized that this study is of great necessity in the current conjuncture due to the growing concern with the well-being of animals, including pregnant women, aiming to provide veterinarians with new and effective ways of evaluating the gestation of female dogs.(AU)