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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409859
Research Project: Biophotonics - Emerging Imaging Technologies for Food Animal Research

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Ultrasound imaging to assess female reproductive status and inform hormone-induced ovulation

Author
item GRAHAM, KATHERINE - Mississippi State University
item KOUBA, CARRIE - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: CRC Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2022
Publication Date: 10/1/2022
Citation: Graham, K.M., Kouba, C.K. 2022. Ultrasound imaging to assess female reproductive status and inform hormone-induced ovulation. CRC Press. 12(6):75-95.

Interpretive Summary: When ultrasound is applied to new species, patterns are likely to emerge that can better predict the females that are most likely to respond to hormonal therapies. Standardisation of grading scales is an important step for increasing the comparability and transferability of the technology between species.

Technical Abstract: Acquisition of viable eggs from female amphibians is critical to the success of conservation breeding programs, but the process of development, maturation, and ovulation of eggs includes many stages during which reproductive failure can occur. Exogenous hormonal therapies continue to be an essential strategy to overcome reproductive dysfunction in females. Refining existing protocols, as well as potentially exploring novel types of hormone and endocrine pathways, is important for increasing the success of hormonal therapies. When applying hormones, practitioners must consider ovarian dynamics, including the stages of oocyte development and maturation, and seasonal reproductive cycles, in order for treatments to be effective. In this regard, incorporating regular use of ultrasound imaging may improve the success of assisted reproductive efforts. Relative ease of use and wide availability of equipment makes ultrasound a practical tool that should be implemented in amphibian breeding programs when possible. When ultrasound is applied to new species, patterns are likely to emerge that can better predict the females that are most likely to respond to hormonal therapies. Standardisation of grading scales is an important step for increasing the comparability and transferability of the technology between species. Although not widely studied in a controlled manner, an exciting future application may be using ultrasound to direct the timing of hormone-therapy protocols for enhanced ovulation rates and better productivity within breeding programs.