Ecobiometria e Triplex Doppler para a avaliação da vitalidade fetal em Cebus apella

Abstract

The objectives were to: 1) perform conceptus ecobiometry for fetal growth assessment and determine the gestational age in Cebus apella; 2) describe the moment that the fetal organs are observed; 3) perform fetal sex identification; 4) evaluate blood flow in the uterine (UA) and umbilical (Uma) arteries, by measuring the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI); 5) to note the presence or absence of the early diastolic notch (EDN) and diastolic flow in the UA and Uma flow waveforms, respectively, during gestational period in C. apella. Six adult females were selected and trained to allow vaginal swabs or sedation. Vaginal smears and ultrasography (US) were used to monitor the menstrual cycles and follicular growth, respectively, for choose the better day to natural mating or artificial insemination. Twenty days after mating or insemination, the diagnosis of gestation by US was done. The day of the examination relative to whelping was calculated in retrospect (whelping = Day 0). Ultrasonographic examinations were done on Days -133, -113, -83, -53, -21 and -1 before whelping. The B-mode US was used to measure the gestational sac on Days -133 to -113; the biparietal diameter, occipito-frontal diameter, head circumference and abdominal circumference on Days -113 to -1; and femur length on Days -53 to -23, showing that these parameters increased as gestational age advanced. The fetal heart and stomach were observed on Day -113 and, the other organs and fetal sex identification on Day -83. The Triplex Doppler was used to evaluate the blood flow during the gestational period, showing decrease on RI and PI of UA and Uma, on Days -133 to -1, as well as to note the absence of the EDN in the UA waveform on Day -1 and the presence of the Uma diastolic flow on Day -53. From Days -113 to -1, the mean of fetal heart rate, obtained by Triplex Doppler, was 189 ± 2,43 bpm. The current study enabled to determine the gestational age, to assess the fetal anatomical growth, to describe the moment that the organs were observed and to perform fetal sex identification in C. apella. We inferred that UA and Uma blood circulation were important end points to assess fetal vitality in C. apella.