The effect of preovulatory follicle, coprus hemorrhagicum and corpus luteum vascularization on pregnancy in purebred arabian mares

The widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies and advanced imaging methods has provided an important step in examining the various features of the follicle and corpus luteum on the ovary in more detail, and revealing their effects on fertilization and the maintaininf of a pregnancy. In the thesis, it was aimed to evaluate the diameter of the preovulatory follicle, corpus hemorrhagicum and corpus luteum, which are the structures seen on the ovary through estrus cycle during the breeding season in mares, and to evaluate the vascularization of these structures with color Doppler ultrasonography and correlate them with pregnancy. For this purpose, the first ovulations of 40 Arabian mares between the ages of 5-20 were followed in the breeding season. The mares that have follicles of 4 mm and above, with uterine edema, cervical edema and increased cervical diameter were followed and the ultrsonographic examinations of the preovulatory follicle, corpus hemorrhagicum within 24 hours after ovulation, and corpus luteum 7 days after ovulation was performed. The measurements of the diameter on the images taken with B-mode ultrasonography were evaluated by using ImageJ software, and the vascularizations of these structures were scored subjectively by color Doppler ultrasonography (1-4). Pregnancy examination was performed by using ultrasonography on the 14th day, and the determinants of the relevant parameters on pregnancy were evaluated. As a result, the diameter value of the preovulatory follicle and corpus luteum, and the vascularization score of the preovulatory follicle and corpus luteum were not found to be significant on pregnancy. Pregnancy can be demonstrated with 73.9% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity for mares with a corpus hemorrhagicum diameter of 36.7 mm and less (p<0.05), while a sensitivity of 78.3% and 64.7% specificity in the case of pregnancy in mares with a corpus luteum vascularization score of 4 (p<0.05). As a result, it was concluded that corpus hemorrhagicum diameter measurement and determination of vascularization of the corpus luteum by color Doppler ultrasonography can provide an early prediction in the evaluation of pregnancy in mares.