• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.418-425
• /
• 2002

Estrus was induced in 13 anestrus Korea Jin-do bitches by intramuscular injection of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in a dose of 500 lU once daily for ten consecutive days, followed by an additional single intraveneous injection of 1,000 lU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the tenth day. Day-changes of vaginal epithelial cells during the hormone treatment were investigated in each experimental bitches and compared with the those of spontaneous estrus bitches. The first days of vulval bleeding and male acceptance after PMSG treatment were on Day 6.0$\pm$ 1.5 (mean$\pm$ SD) and Day 9.0$\pm$ 1.9, respectively. And in all of 13 bitches, vulval swelling and perineal reflex were shown. The mean durations of proestrus and estrus were 2.9$\pm$ 1.4 (mean$\pm$ SD, range ; 1-6) and 11.5: 1.7 (range ; 8-14) days, respectively, that is, duration of proestrus was significantly shorter than that of the spontneous estrous bitches but duration of estrus was longer than that of the spontaneous estrous bitches. Characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportions of large intermediate cell, superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus, superficial cell and anuclear cell in estrus and parabasal cell, small intermediate, large intermediate cell, and leukocyte in diestrus, respectively. The comification index (Cl) was significantly high proportion in proestrus and estrus, when Day 0 was timed from the first day of male acceptance, the Cl was first increased above 80% on Day 0 and maintained above 80% until Day 0 to Day 5 during 6 days and showed a peak on Day 2. Also it was maintained above 90% until Day 2 to Day 3 during 2 days. These results indicated that all 13 ekperimental bitches showed positive estrus detection by the estrus behavior and vaginal smear test after treated with PMSG and hCC. It suggested that vaginal cytology was used to estimate the optimal mating and ovulation time, in consideration of the day when the Cl was maintained above 80% in estrus-induced Korea Jin-do bitches.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.225-233
• /
• 2000

The aim in this study was to obtain the basic data for estimation of optimal mating time and ovulation time by finding out the relationship between vaginal cytology and reproductive hormone profiles during the estrous cycle in 36 Korea Jin-do bitches. A characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estorous cycle were the high proportion of superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus, superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythroucyte in estrus, parabasal cell, small and large intermediate cell and leukocytes in diestrus, and parabasal cell and small intermediate cell in anestrus, respectively. Cornification index(CI) was the high proportion in proestrus and estrus, then it was decreaed in diestrus and anestrus. It indicated that the CI was significantly high proportion in proestrus and estrus in comparison with the other phases. Plasma progesterone concentration was below 1.0ng/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding in pregnant and non-pregnat bitches, and then it was increaed slowly. When Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0ng/ml, plasma progesterone concentrations at Day 0 in pregnant and non-pregnant above 4.0 ng/ml, plasma progesterone concentrations at Day 0 in pregnant and non-pregnant bitches were $5.2{\pm}0.3ng/ml and 5.7{\pm}0.5ng/ml$$46.5{\pm}3.3 ng/ml$ in pregnant bitches and at Day 20 with $39.8{\pm}0.1ng/ml$ in nonpregnant bitches. It indicated that plasma progesterone concentration was higher in pregnant bitches than in non-pregnant bitches. Hereafter plasma progesterone concentration was decreased steadily. At Day 63 which is parturition day, plasma progesterone concentration was decreased below 1.0ng/ml with $0.8{\pm}0.2ng/ml$ in pregnant bitches whereas in the non-pregnant bitches at Day 75 were decreased below 1.0ng/ml with 40.5{\pm}0.4ng/ml$. Plasma progesterone concentrations was maintained below 1.0ng/ml during anestrus in all of them. The plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$ concentration was increased above 1.0 pg/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding and it showed a peak Day-1 with 38.2 pg/ml. Thereafter it was sharply decreased after Day 0, which was the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increase above 4.0ng/ml, and was maintained below basal levels. In relationship between CI and reproductive hormones, plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$concentration showed a peak at Day-3 and CI showed a peak at Day-1 which was the second day after plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$ peak, and plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0ng/ml at Day 0 which was the first day after CI peak. CI was first increased above 80% at Day-6 which was the third day before plasma estradio-17 $\beta$ peak and it was maintained above 80% between Days-6 and Day 3 during 10 days, and showed above 90% at Day-3 which was the day that plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$peak and was maintained above 90% between Day-3 and Day 3 during 7 days. In conclusion, ovulation in Koran Jin-do bitches occurred at the first day after CI peak, at the third day after plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$peak and the day when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml. And it was estimated that the optimal mating time was the day when the CI was maintained above 90% and plasma progesterone concentration was between 3.0~8.0ng/ml. Therefore plasma progesterone concentration measurement was used for determination of an accurate ovulation time and the optimal mating time but also vaginal cytology, which is low-priced with equipment and is the simple examination method, was reliable method for estimating estrous cycle, optimal breeding time and ovulation time in Korea Jin-do bitches.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.899-909
• /
• 1997

The aim of this study was to assess the estimates of the time of ovulation and mating derived by plasma progesterone concentration. The 40 mature Korea Jin-do bitches were monitored to determine the plasma progesterone concentrations from proestrus to parturition. Gestation length in the 30 pregnant bitches was $63.9{\pm}2.3$ ($mean{\pm}SD$) days in multiparous bitches and $61.8{\pm}3.6$ days in primiparous bitches when Day 0 was timed from the first day of male acceptance, and $61.4{\pm}1.8$ days and $61.3{\pm}2.7$ days when Day 0 was timed from the day of first mating, respectively. Also, gestation length was $63.1{\pm}1.4$ days, $62.4{\pm}1.1$ days and $61.5{\pm}0.9$ days in multiparous bitches, and $62.6{\pm}1.4$ days, $62.4{\pm}2.0$ days and $61.6{\pm}2.3$ days in primiparous bitches when Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0ng/ml, respectively, and $53.8{\pm}3.1$ days and $54.8{\pm}2.6$ days when Day 0 was timed from the last day of male acceptance, respectively. In 30 pregnant bitches, plasma progesterone concentration was $0.2{\pm}0.2ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches and $0.7{\pm}0.8ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches at the first day of vulval bleeding, $1.9{\pm}1.0$ and $3.3{\pm}2.7ng/ml$ at the first day of male acceptance, $7.0{\pm}4.0$ and $9.3{\pm}6.2ng/ml$ at the day of first mating, and $25.1{\pm}6.3$ and $22.8{\pm}10.3ng/ml$ at the last day of male acceptance, respectively. When Day 0 was timed from the day of parturition, plasma progesterone concentration at Day -62, Day -63 and Day -64 was $4.7{\pm}2.7ng/ml$, $3.5{\pm}2.2ng/ml$ and $1.7{\pm}0.9ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches, and $5.3{\pm}4.4ng/ml$, $3.2{\pm}3.7ng/ml$ and $2.0{\pm}1.9ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches, respectively. When Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 3.0ng/ml after the first day of vulval bleeding, plasma progesterone concentration at Day 61 and Day 62 was $2.7{\pm}2.2ng/ml$ and $1.4{\pm}1.9ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches, and $3.4{\pm}5.2ng/ml$ and $3.7{\pm}5.6ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches, and $0.8{\pm}0.7ng/ml$ and $0.9{\pm}0.4ng/ml$ at Day 63, respectively. It was that bitches were mated when plasma progesterone concentraion was 1.9 to 14.2ng/ml and 3.5 to 20.0ng/ml in multiparous and primiparous bitches, which was between first day before ovulation and fourth day after ovulation. And pregnancy rate was 92% (23/25). From these data, ovulation was estimated to occur the day when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 3.0ng/ml after the first day of vulval bleeding. It was estimated that mating time was the day when plasma progesterone concentration was between 1.9 and 20.0ng/ml, and best time for mating was between 3.0 and 8.0ng/ml of plasma progesterone concentration.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.653-664
• /
• 1999

This study was undertaken to determine the normal appearance of the postpartum uterine involution. Postpartum changes in uterine shape, architecture, echogenicity and diameter were monitored with ultrasonography in 11 Korea Jin-do dogs. Serial ultrasonographic examination was done daily during the first week, 3 days interval from 8 to 30 days, and weekly from 31 to 100 days postpartum, respectively. Of 11 postpartum bitches, 10 bitches (90.9%) had normal involution and 1 bitch (9.1%) had subinvolution of the placental sites (SIPS) by gross findings, vaginal discharges, and by ultrasographic findings, uterine shape and echogenicity. The excretory period of vaginal discharges in 10 normal bitches of uterine involution was finished completely at $20.2{\pm}4.6$ days (Mean${\pm}$SD) postpartum, but in 1 SIPS at 50 days postpartum. The short axis shape of the uterus was initially often flaccid-appearing. It varied from circular to crescent shaped to polygonal. This lasted until $16.5{\pm}3.7$ days postpartum, during which time the short axis uterine shape gradually changed to circular. Also, the long axis shape of the uterus was created a beaded appearance of the horns until $29.9{\pm}3.2$ days postpartum. After 30 days, it was appeared as tubular shape without distinguished between placental and interplacental sites. The ultrasonographic image of the postpartum uterus consisted of four echogenicity distinct layers. Uterine wall was represented the very hyperechoic serosa, hypoechoic myometrium, hyper echoic endometrium and anechoic structures of fluid in the uterine cavity until 7 days postpartum. The individual uterine layers were most prominent during the first week postpartum, and they became progressively less distinct throughout the course of uterine involution. Anechoic structures of fluid in the uterine cavity was detected until $25.0{\pm}6.4$ days postpartum, after which time it was not reliably detected. The uterine diameter was decreased not only in the placental sites frorm $24.1{\pm}2.5mm$ at 1 day to $15.4{\pm}1.4mm$ at 7 days postpartum, but also in the interplacental sites $14.9{\pm}1.5mm$ at 1 day, $10.6{\pm}0.8mm$ at 7 days postpartum. There was a general trend of decreasing uterine diameter, which occurred more rapidly at the placental sites. At 31 days pastpartum, these diameter reached almost same size, after that time, they could be not distinguished between placental and interplacental sites. At 87 days postpartum, the uterine diameter was $5.6{\pm}0.6mm$ both placental and interplacental sites, and the uterine horns were uniform hypoechoic, tubular structures without enlargement. Therefore, complete involution of the uterus occurred at that time. It was concluded that normal postpartum uterine involution in Korea Jin-do bitches appeared to be completed around 87 days postpartum by gross findings such as vaginal discharges, and by ultrasonographic findings, uterine shape and echogenicity. Also ultrasonographic characteristics of the postpartum uterine involution were described. Therefore, these result suggest that ultrasonographic assessment is a reliable method for diagnosing the SIPS and uterine dysfunction, such as pyometra in bitch.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.235-245
• /
• 1996

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 9 pregnant Korea Jin-do bitches that were the Korean native breed, from days 15 to 60 pregnancy to determine the time of first detection and ultrasonographic appearance of the fetal and extra-fetal structures of pregnancy. Gestational age was timed from the day of ovulation (Day 0), which was estimated to occur when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml. Gestational ages at earliest detection of the following fetal and extra-fetal structures were; gestational sac at days 17 to 22; placental layers in the uterine wall at days 20 to 24; zonary placenta at days 25 to 28; yolk sac membrane at days 22 to 24; amnionic membrane at days 27 to 29; embryo initial detection at days 21 to 23; fetal heartbeat at days 21 m 25; bipolar shape embryo at days 25 to 26; fetal movement at days 28 to 31; limb buds at days 31 to 35; anechoic area in head at days 31 to 36; stomach at days 34 to 37; urinary bladder at days 34 to 37; skeleton at days 36 to 38; dorsal sagittal tubular structure in vertebrae at days 36 to 38; lung hyperechoic vs liver at days 37 to 39; liver hypoechoic vs abdomen at days 37 to 40 and kidney at days 43 to 48, respectively.