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

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2009

Domestic bitches are non-seasonally monoestrus; spontaneously ovulate only once or twice occurs at anytime of the year. Estrus induction has been applied infrequent estrus, misleading ovulation, mating difficulties, failure to conceive after normal mating, pregnancy failure and biological research. Protocol of estrus induction which included variable hormones such as FSH, GnRH, and PMSG have been applied for the last decades. Recently, Bromocriptine, one of anti-prolatin/dopamine agonist has been occasionally applied for estrus induction. The study was carried out to investigate the effective method for the induction of estrus in bitches using different hormone treatments, and the initiation time of estrus from hormone treatment by assessments of cytological observation and blood plasma progesterone concentration. A total of 54 bitches on anestrus were selected for the study and divided randomly into 8 treatment groups as follow. Control, natural estrus; FSH (L), FSH (1.5 mg/kg, twice a day, $Falltrophin^{(R)}$, Vetrepharm); FSH (H), FSH (3.0 mg/kg, twice a day); GnRH+FSH, GnRH (5 ug/kg, once first day, $GNADON^{(R)}$, Dongbang)+FSH (3 mg/kg, SID); PMSG, PMSG (50 IU/kg, every third day $FOLLIGON^{(R)}$, Intevet); GnRH+PMSG, GnRH (5 ug/kg, only first day)+PMSG (50 IU/kg, every third day); GnRH, GnRH (5 ug/kg, only first day); Bromocriptine, bromocriptine (0.3 mg/kg, SID, $Parlodel^{(R)}$, Novartis). The bitches were evaluated clinical sign, cytological exam and $OVUCHECK^{(R)}$ Premate for assessment of estrus induction. Estrus induction rates were significantly (P<0.05) higher in GnRH+PMSG (100%) compared to others. PMSG and GnRH+PMGS (87.5 and 100%) and Bromocriptine (77.8%) were higher than others except GnRH+PMSG. Analysis of vaginal smear has proved to be effective a correct assessment of estrus induction with assay of progesterone concentration by $OVUCHECK^{(R)}$ Premate. Proestrus initiated by the $6^{th}$ after induction in most case. In conclusion, bromocriptine is an effective drug for estrus induction in bitches and assay of progesterone concentration by $OVUCHECK^{(R)}$ Premate with examination of vaginal smear that should be useful to detection of estrus induction of estrus induced bitches.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2005

This study were carried out to evaluate the possibility of nuclear progression of canine immature oocytes, of which was cultured in a reproductive tract, such as oviduct, ovarian bursa and uterus of estrus bitch for 4, 5 and 6 days following immediately collection. Cumulus intact oocytes(COC) fore collected from domestic dog following ovariohysterectomy at local veterinary clinics. In Exp. 1, COCs $of>110\;{\mu}m$ diameter were selected and cultured in vitro at $39^{\circ}C$, $5\%\;CO\_{2} $ in air atmosphere. The nuclear progression of canine oocytes checked at 24, 48 or 72 h after in vitro maturation. There was not increased the nuclear progression to the M II stage depending on culture periods at 24, 48 and 72h $(1.3\%,\;3.7\%\;and\;4.7\%)$. In Exp. 2, to evaluate of nuclear progression of immature oocytes, collected or in vitro cultured oocytes were transfer into a canine reproductive tract (oviduct, ovarian bursa and uterus). The recovery rates of canine oocytes from a reproductive tract after 4 days $(33.7\%)$ in vivo culture were significantly higher than those 5 $(17.7\%)$ 6 day $(3.4\%)$ (P<0.05). The survival rates of collected oocytes after 4 days $(60.0\%)$ were also significantly higher than those of 5 days $(30.2\%)$ and 6 days $(38.9\%)$ (P<0.05). The meiotic resumption rates of canine oocytes were not significantly difference among the culture periods at 4 days $(5.9\%)$, 5 days $(0.0\%)$ and 6 days $(0.0\%)$. These results show that the nuclear progression of canine immature oocytes from in in vivo culture was not affect the nuclear resumption of oocytes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2010

To investigate the change of vaginal epithelial cell in estrus-induced Shih-tzu bitch, estrus was induced by PMSG (50 IU/kg, for 10 days) and hCG (1,000 IU, on Day 10) in 12 anestrus Shih-tzu bitches. Day-changes of vaginal epithelial cells during the whole period of hormone treatment were investigated in each experimental bitches. The first day of vulvar bleeding and the first day of male acceptant was on $6.72{\pm}1.38$ days ($Mean{\pm}S.D.$), and $10.44{\pm}1.63$ days after the first PMSG treatment. The duration of proestrus and estrus was $4.36{\pm}1.20$ days, and $7.58{\pm}1.43$ days. Characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportion of large intermediate cell, superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus, superficial cell and anuclear cell in estrus, and parabasal cell, small and large intermediate cell, and leukocyte in diestrus, respectively. When it was timed from the first day of PMSG administration (Day 0), the cornification index (CI) was the high proportion in proestrus and estrus. The CI peak was maintained above 80% between Day 11~14 (4 days) and CI showed a peak at Day 12. These results indicated that the 12 Shih-tzu bitches showed positive estrus induction by vaginal smear test and observation of clinical estrus sign.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.387-389
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• 2013

An 8-years-old intact female shih tzu was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Chungnam National University for treatment of suspected pyometra. This dog had clinical symptoms of vaginal bleeding, vulvar discharge, polyphagia, polyuria/polydipsia and vomiting. In hematologic examinations, complete blood count (CBC) revealed mild leucopenia and a serum biochemistry profile revealed increased ALP, decreased GLU values. Diagnosis was made by radiographic examination, ultrasonographic examination, abdominocentesis. Peritonitis secondary to pyometra was tentative diagnosed. Surgical treatment was proceeding for ovariohysterectomy and peritoneal saline irrigation. It was confirmed that severe necrotized enteritis and pus leakage to ovarian bursa with pyometra. In this report, secondary severe disease also must be considered in diagnosis of pyometra because septic peritonitis could be occurred by pus leakage from uterus with pyometra.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.763-767
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• 2000

This study was performed to isolate and identify bacteria from uterus with pyometra and examine their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Uterus of 16 bitches with pyometra were surgically removed by ovariohysteroctomy and then bacteria were isolated and identified. Also, susceptibility test to 15 antimicrobial agents was performed. Out of 16 bitches, 11 strains of Escherichia coli, 2 strains of Serratia marcescens, and 1 strain of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. were identified. In antimicrobial susceptibility test, the majority of isolates were susceptible to enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, trimethprim-sulfamethazole, tetracycline, and moderately susceptible to carbenicillin, amikacin, ampicillin, neomycin, but resistant to vancomycin, streptomycin, bacitracin and colistin. In conclusion, E coli was the most common bacteria isolated from bitches with pyometra and those susceptible antimicrobial agents could be recommended to medical therapy of pyometra.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.233-238
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• 2005

This study was undertaken to determine the normal serial ultrasonographic appearance of the postpartum uterine involution. Postpartum changes in uterine shape, architecture, echogenicity and diameter were monitored by ultrasonography in 10 Shih-tzu bitches. 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. All 10 postpartum bitches had normal involution by gross finding, vaginal discharges, and by ultrasonographic findings, uterine shape and echogenicity. The uterine diameter in the placental sites was decreased from $23.56{\pm}1.45$ mm at 1 day to $14.08{\pm}1.55$ mm at 7 day, and in the interplacental sites was decreased from $14.64{\pm}1.28$mm at 1day to $9.61{\pm}1.46$mm at 7 day postpartum. At 65 days postpartum the uterine diameter was 5-6 mm both placental and interplacental sites, and the uterine horns were uniform hypoechic, tubular structures without enlargement. Therefore, complete involution of the uterus occured 65 days. It was concluded that normal postpartum uterine involution in Shih-tzu bitches appeared to be completed 65 days postpartum by gross findings such as vaginal discharges, and ultrasonographic findings. And ultrasonographic characteristics of the postpartum uterine involution were described. Therefore, these result suggest that ultrasonographic assessment is a reliable method for diagnosing the subinvolution of placental sites and uterine dysfunction, such as pyometra in the bitch.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2002

The aim of these experiments was to investigate in vitro nuclear maturation of canine oocyte collected from various stages of estrus cycles, Ovaries were obtained from 1 to 4 year-old mongrel bitch and minced for oocyte collection in phosphate buffered saline with 100 iu penicillin-G $m\ell$／sup -1／, 50 $\mu\textrm{g}$ streptomycin sulphate $m\ell$／sup -1／ and 0.1％ (w／v) polyvinyl alcohol. Cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were washed in HEPES buffered tissue culture medium (TCM)199 and in vitro matured in TCM-199 culture medium supplemented with sodium pyruvate 0.028mg/$m\ell$, L-glutamine 0.146mg／$m\ell$, penicillin G 10,000 IU／$m\ell$, streptomycin 0.031mg／$m\ell$ and 10％ (v／v) fatal calf serum. COCs were in vitro matured for 48～72 hrs at 39$^{\circ}C$ in humidified 5％ $CO_2$ in air atmosphere. In vitro matured oocytes were remove the cumulus cells using 0.2％ (v／v) hyaluronidase. After denuding, oocyte were placed in acetic acid : methanol : chlorform solusion (3:6 : 1.5 v／v) for 30 sec and acetic acid: ethanol(1:3 v／v) for 48hrs fixation. Nuclear maturation was classified to GV, GVBD, MI, MII and degenerate oocyte under microscopy after 1％ aceto-orcein stain. In vitro maturation rates at 48hrs were not significantly difference among the oocytes collected from different stage of estrus at 15.9％, 16.3％, 23.7％ and 18.2％ for anestrus, proestrus, estrus and diestrus. However, the oocytes maturation(36.6％) of collected from estrus ovaries were significantly different from oocytes derived from proesturs, diestrus and anestrus ovaries(30.8％, 17.5％ and 22.1％; p＜0.05). The overall in vitro maturation rates were significantly higher (p＜0.05) in 72hrs culture than 48hrs culture system. In summary, there was a tendency for higher in vitro maturation rates with the oocyte collected from estrus ovary than other stages of estrus. Also, for nuclear maturation, in vitro culture of oocyte for 72hrs was better than 48hrs culture.