It was aimed to determine the changing of the fetal blood flow in experimental ketosis cases by using Doppler USG and determine the diagnostic value of umbilical artery Doppler indices in pregnant rabbits

It was aimed to determine the changing of the fetal blood flow in experimental ketosis cases by using Doppler USG and determine the diagnostic value of umbilical artery Doppler indices in pregnant rabbits. Fourteen healthy New Zealand female rabbits weighing 3.6 – 4.1 kg were used as study material. All females were controlled mated with with sexually active bucks. On days 9 post-mating, pregnancy diagnosis was confirmed by transabdominal ultrasonography (USG) using a micro convex probe of 8 MHz. Pregnant rabbits belonging to ketosis group (n=7) were feed deprived during 5 days of third trimester for ketosis induction. The control group (n = 7) animals were fed regularly. The ketosis induction was started at 25±1 days of pregnancy and the definitive diagnosis were performed based on the presence of ketone bodies in daily urine samples via strip inspection. The levels of serum glucose and Beta-hidroksi butirat (β-HBA) from venous blood samples taken apart from 24 hours during 5 days were recorded. Besidely, fetal umbilical artery (UA) blood flow was examined with Doppler USG for detecting of possibily haemodynamic effects of pregnancy toxemia. The measurements of UA Doppler pulsatility (PI) and resistance (RI) indices were recorded from the the mid-cord site of the umbilical cord of the most caudal foetus, positioned in the left uterus horn. Parturitions were occurred normally and without any assistance. After measurements, the blood level of glucose and β-HBA were increased in ketosis group (P < 0,05). Although there is no significant difference in UA Doppler indices between study groups. Besidely, no other fetal stress parameters like that end diastolic block, reverse flow and end sistolic notching were detected. In conclusion, any significant difference in foetal UA Doppler indices that could be used as diagnostic value was not detected in ketosis cases of rabbits in last trimester. It is considered that this study's findings might be helpful for advances in alternative foetal monitoring in pregnancy toxemia cases.