Productivity efficiency in the livestock sector depends upon reproduction success at the farms. Evaluation of follicle and corpus luteum hemodynamics by color-Doppler ultrasonography is becoming more commonly used in cattle reproductive management. Improved understanding of the relationships between size and blood flow of the preovulatory follicle (POF) and corpus luteum (CL) with the subsequent systemic progesterone production, and the impact of those factors on fertility, would provide information to help maximize fertility in cattle reproduction. Three studies were conducted in this dissertation with the following general objectives: I) evaluate the relationships between follicle and corpus luteum dimensions and blood flow, and the influence of follicle size and wall blood flow on systemic progesterone production by the subsequent CL; II) study the relationships between follicle wall blood flow within different follicle size categories, between cows and heifers, and the effect on pregnancy rates; and III) develop a novel and reliable objective method for evaluation of follicle wall blood flow. In study one, high positive correlations were found among all POF and CL end points, and progesterone concentrations. Ratios of POF, CL, and progesterone end points ranged from moderate to strong positive correlations. Linear regression dispersions among selected POF and CL end points and progesterone concentrations showed high significance when using POF dimensions to estimate CL dimensions as well as POF blood flow to estimate CL size and blood flow, and plasma progesterone concentrations. In study two, cows had larger and more vascularized follicles than heifers. Pregnant cows had larger follicles and tended to have more vascularized follicles than non-pregnant cows. Follicle blood flow was greater in the large follicle category compared with the small follicles, and tended to be greater than medium-size follicles. Moderate to strong correlations were found between follicle blood flow and small, medium, and large follicles. Pregnancy rates were similar among follicle diameter categories. In study three, a novel objective method (wall under flow, WUF) for evaluation of follicle wall blood flow using color-Doppler ultrasonography was tested. Results indicated that due to differences in follicle morphology and in area and location of the blood flow, the objective pixel analysis previously reported in the literature for evaluation of CL blood flow cannot be translated as a gold standard test to objectively evaluate blood flow in follicles. The WUF was a superior method to evaluate follicle wall blood flow when compared with other methods. Furthermore, pixel area method did not sustain the validation of subjective evaluations of follicle wall blood flow. In conclusion, this work demonstrated novel linear relationships among POF and CL end points which can be used to estimate the subsequent progesterone production by the CL. Additionally, POF wall blood flow was closely associated with an increase in follicle diameter; smaller follicles had lower blood flow when compared with larger follicles. Moreover, the WUF was a more reliable method to objectively evaluate follicle wall blood flow in cows than the pixel area method.

A ecocardiografia com perfusão miocárdica em tempo-real (EPTR) é uma técnica desenvolvida recentemente que utiliza baixa energia ultra-sônica e permite a avaliação da perfusão miocárdica e a quantificação do fluxo miocárdico regional. Embora estudos tenham demonstrado a possibilidade da medida da reserva de fluxo miocárdico (RFM) por esta técnica, sua acurácia para detecção de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) e sua correlação com a reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) obtida pelo estudo das velocidades de fluxo nos vasos epicárdicos, não estão definidas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar a exeqüibilidade e acurácia da RFM medidas pela EPTR e da RFC obtida pela ecodopplercardiografia transtorácica (ETT) para a detecção de lesão obstrutiva na artéria coronária descendente anterior (ADA), tendo como padrão de referência a angiografia coronária quantitativa (ACQ), e correlacionar os valores ecodopplercardiográficos das reservas de fluxo miocárdico e coronariano com o grau de estenose coronariana. Foram Avaliados prospectivamente 71 pacientes, dos quais 56 (20 homens, média etária de 59 ± 11 anos) foram considerados para análise da acurácia. Os pacientes foram submetidos ao estudo da perfusão miocárdica pela EPTR em repouso e durante infusão de adenosina 140 mg/kg/min, usando como agente de contraste ecocardiográfico microbolhas encapsuladas por albumina e glicose. A quantificação do platô de intensidade miocárdica (A) que reflete o volume sangüíneo miocárdico, a velocidade de repreenchimento do miocárdio pelas microbolhas (ß) e o fluxo miocárdico (A x ß) foi realizada utilizando-se um programa computacional específico (Q-Lab 3.0, Philips Medical Systems). As velocidades de fluxo na porção distal da ADA foram avaliadas pela ETT, e a RFC definida como a relação entre a velocidade diastólica máxima durante hiperemia e no estado basal. Os pacientes foram submetidos à ACQ dentro de 30 dias do estudo ecocardiográfico. Lesão coronariana significativa foi definida como presença de obstrução >50% do diâmetro luminal. No presente estudo, a medida da RFC pelo Doppler da ADA apresentou exeqüibilidade global de 83% , enquanto que a quantificação da RFM pela EPTR mostrou exeqüibilidade de 99%. Os pacientes com lesão angiograficamente significativa na ADA apresentaram valores de RFC (2,86 ± 0,71 versus 1,57 ± 0,38; p = 0,0001), RFM (2,43 ± 0,80 versus 1,24 ± 0,48; p = 0,0001) e reserva b (2,08 ± 0,82 versus 1,23 ± 0,46; p = 0,001) menores que pacientes sem lesão significativa. O valor de corte utilizado para diferenciar pacientes com e sem lesão na ADA foi 1,84 para a RFC obtida pelo Doppler da ADA, 1,74 para a RFM e 1,68 para a reserva b. A sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia para detecção de lesão angiograficamente significativa na ADA foram de 96%, 93%, e 95% para a RFC obtida pelo Doppler da ADA, 88%, 90% e 89% para a RFM obtida pela xxii EPTR, e 88%, 84%, e 86% para a reserva b. A análise de regressão logística demonstrou que o estudo com Doppler da ADA foi o parâmetro que melhor diferenciou os pacientes com e sem lesão na ADA (Razão de chances de 1,78, intervalo de confiança de 95% de 1,28 a 2,47). Houve uma boa correlação entre a medida da reserva b (r = 0,89; p <0,05), RFM (r = 0,79; p <0,05), e RFC (r = 0,88; p < 0,05) e o grau de estenose obtido pela ACQ. Conclui-se que a avaliação da RFC pelo Doppler da ADA e da RFM pela EPTR quantitativa apresentaram alta exeqüibilidade e foram capazes de diferenciar de modo preciso os indivíduos com e sem lesão angiográfica significativa na ADA. No entanto, a acurácia diagnóstica pelo Doppler da ADA foi discretamente superior aos outros parâmetros analisados e apresentou menor exeqüibilidade. Ambas as reservas de fluxo miocárdico e coronariano correlacionaram-se de modo inverso com o grau de estenose coronariana / Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) is a recently developed technique that utilizes low-mechanical index imaging and allows for noninvasive evaluation of myocardial perfusion as well as for quantification of regional myocardial blood flow. Although previous studies have demonstrated that RTMCE permits determining myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR), its diagnostic accuracy and correlation with the measurement of coronary flow reserve (CFR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has not been fully demonstrated. The aims of this study were to compare the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of MBFR obtained by RTMCE and CFR obtained by TTE for detecting angiographically significant obstruction in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and to determine the correlation between MBFR and CFR and the severity of stenosis determined by quantitative coronary angiography. We prospectively studied 71 patients, among them 56 patients (20 men, 59 ± 11 years) were considered for the determination of diagnostic accuracy. All patients underwent RTMCE at rest and during 140mcg/kg/min of adenosine infusion. Plateau acoustic intensity (A), myocardial replenishment velocity slope (B) and myocardial blood flow (A x B) were quantified using Q-Lab 3.0 (Philips Medical Systems). Coronary flow velocities were evaluated in the distal LAD using TTE and CFR was defined as the ratio between maximal diastolic velocity during hiperemia and baseline. LAD stenosis (obstruction >50% of luminal diameter) was determined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) performed within one month of RTMCE. The feasibility of CFR measurement by TTE was 83%, while the feasibility of MBFR measurement by RTMCE was 99%. CFR was significantly lower in patients with than in patients without angiographically significant LAD stenosis (2.86 ± 0.71 versus 1.57 ± 0.38; p = 0.0001), as was the MBFR (2.43 ± 0.80 versus 1.24 ± 0.48; p = 0.0001) and b reserve (2.08 ± 0.82 versus 1.23 ± 0.46; p = 0.001). Cutoff values for differentiating patients with and without LAD stenosis were 1.84 for CFR, 1.74 for MBFR, and 1.68 for b reserve. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for detecting LAD stenosis were 96%, 93%, and 95% for CFR obtained by TTE, 88%, 90%, and 89% for MBFR, and 88%, 84%, and 86% for b reserve. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CFR as measured by TTE was the best predictor of LAD (Odds ratio = 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 2.47). There was a good correlation between b reserve (r = 0.89; p <0.05), MBFR (r = 0.79; p <0.05), and CFR (r = 0.88; p < 0.05) and the severity of coronary obstruction determined by QCA. In conclusion, CFR obtained by TTE and MBFR obtained by RTMCE were highly feasible and accurate for differentiating patients with and without angiographically significant LAD obstruction. CFR had a slightly higher diagnostic accuracy than other xxv evaluated parameters, despite lower feasibility. Both the CFR and MBFR were inversely correlated with the degree of luminal coronary obstruction determined by QCA

A ecocardiografia com perfusão miocárdica em tempo-real (EPTR) é uma técnica desenvolvida recentemente que utiliza baixa energia ultra-sônica e permite a avaliação da perfusão miocárdica e a quantificação do fluxo miocárdico regional. Embora estudos tenham demonstrado a possibilidade da medida da reserva de fluxo miocárdico (RFM) por esta técnica, sua acurácia para detecção de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) e sua correlação com a reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) obtida pelo estudo das velocidades de fluxo nos vasos epicárdicos, não estão definidas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar a exeqüibilidade e acurácia da RFM medidas pela EPTR e da RFC obtida pela ecodopplercardiografia transtorácica (ETT) para a detecção de lesão obstrutiva na artéria coronária descendente anterior (ADA), tendo como padrão de referência a angiografia coronária quantitativa (ACQ), e correlacionar os valores ecodopplercardiográficos das reservas de fluxo miocárdico e coronariano com o grau de estenose coronariana. Foram Avaliados prospectivamente 71 pacientes, dos quais 56 (20 homens, média etária de 59 ± 11 anos) foram considerados para análise da acurácia. Os pacientes foram submetidos ao estudo da perfusão miocárdica pela EPTR em repouso e durante infusão de adenosina 140 mg/kg/min, usando como agente de contraste ecocardiográfico microbolhas encapsuladas por albumina e glicose. A quantificação do platô de intensidade miocárdica (A) que reflete o volume sangüíneo miocárdico, a velocidade de repreenchimento do miocárdio pelas microbolhas (ß) e o fluxo miocárdico (A x ß) foi realizada utilizando-se um programa computacional específico (Q-Lab 3.0, Philips Medical Systems). As velocidades de fluxo na porção distal da ADA foram avaliadas pela ETT, e a RFC definida como a relação entre a velocidade diastólica máxima durante hiperemia e no estado basal. Os pacientes foram submetidos à ACQ dentro de 30 dias do estudo ecocardiográfico. Lesão coronariana significativa foi definida como presença de obstrução >50% do diâmetro luminal. No presente estudo, a medida da RFC pelo Doppler da ADA apresentou exeqüibilidade global de 83% , enquanto que a quantificação da RFM pela EPTR mostrou exeqüibilidade de 99%. Os pacientes com lesão angiograficamente significativa na ADA apresentaram valores de RFC (2,86 ± 0,71 versus 1,57 ± 0,38; p = 0,0001), RFM (2,43 ± 0,80 versus 1,24 ± 0,48; p = 0,0001) e reserva b (2,08 ± 0,82 versus 1,23 ± 0,46; p = 0,001) menores que pacientes sem lesão significativa. O valor de corte utilizado para diferenciar pacientes com e sem lesão na ADA foi 1,84 para a RFC obtida pelo Doppler da ADA, 1,74 para a RFM e 1,68 para a reserva b. A sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia para detecção de lesão angiograficamente significativa na ADA foram de 96%, 93%, e 95% para a RFC obtida pelo Doppler da ADA, 88%, 90% e 89% para a RFM obtida pela xxii EPTR, e 88%, 84%, e 86% para a reserva b. A análise de regressão logística demonstrou que o estudo com Doppler da ADA foi o parâmetro que melhor diferenciou os pacientes com e sem lesão na ADA (Razão de chances de 1,78, intervalo de confiança de 95% de 1,28 a 2,47). Houve uma boa correlação entre a medida da reserva b (r = 0,89; p <0,05), RFM (r = 0,79; p <0,05), e RFC (r = 0,88; p < 0,05) e o grau de estenose obtido pela ACQ. Conclui-se que a avaliação da RFC pelo Doppler da ADA e da RFM pela EPTR quantitativa apresentaram alta exeqüibilidade e foram capazes de diferenciar de modo preciso os indivíduos com e sem lesão angiográfica significativa na ADA. No entanto, a acurácia diagnóstica pelo Doppler da ADA foi discretamente superior aos outros parâmetros analisados e apresentou menor exeqüibilidade. Ambas as reservas de fluxo miocárdico e coronariano correlacionaram-se de modo inverso com o grau de estenose coronariana / Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) is a recently developed technique that utilizes low-mechanical index imaging and allows for noninvasive evaluation of myocardial perfusion as well as for quantification of regional myocardial blood flow. Although previous studies have demonstrated that RTMCE permits determining myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR), its diagnostic accuracy and correlation with the measurement of coronary flow reserve (CFR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has not been fully demonstrated. The aims of this study were to compare the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of MBFR obtained by RTMCE and CFR obtained by TTE for detecting angiographically significant obstruction in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and to determine the correlation between MBFR and CFR and the severity of stenosis determined by quantitative coronary angiography. We prospectively studied 71 patients, among them 56 patients (20 men, 59 ± 11 years) were considered for the determination of diagnostic accuracy. All patients underwent RTMCE at rest and during 140mcg/kg/min of adenosine infusion. Plateau acoustic intensity (A), myocardial replenishment velocity slope (B) and myocardial blood flow (A x B) were quantified using Q-Lab 3.0 (Philips Medical Systems). Coronary flow velocities were evaluated in the distal LAD using TTE and CFR was defined as the ratio between maximal diastolic velocity during hiperemia and baseline. LAD stenosis (obstruction >50% of luminal diameter) was determined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) performed within one month of RTMCE. The feasibility of CFR measurement by TTE was 83%, while the feasibility of MBFR measurement by RTMCE was 99%. CFR was significantly lower in patients with than in patients without angiographically significant LAD stenosis (2.86 ± 0.71 versus 1.57 ± 0.38; p = 0.0001), as was the MBFR (2.43 ± 0.80 versus 1.24 ± 0.48; p = 0.0001) and b reserve (2.08 ± 0.82 versus 1.23 ± 0.46; p = 0.001). Cutoff values for differentiating patients with and without LAD stenosis were 1.84 for CFR, 1.74 for MBFR, and 1.68 for b reserve. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for detecting LAD stenosis were 96%, 93%, and 95% for CFR obtained by TTE, 88%, 90%, and 89% for MBFR, and 88%, 84%, and 86% for b reserve. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CFR as measured by TTE was the best predictor of LAD (Odds ratio = 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 2.47). There was a good correlation between b reserve (r = 0.89; p <0.05), MBFR (r = 0.79; p <0.05), and CFR (r = 0.88; p < 0.05) and the severity of coronary obstruction determined by QCA. In conclusion, CFR obtained by TTE and MBFR obtained by RTMCE were highly feasible and accurate for differentiating patients with and without angiographically significant LAD obstruction. CFR had a slightly higher diagnostic accuracy than other xxv evaluated parameters, despite lower feasibility. Both the CFR and MBFR were inversely correlated with the degree of luminal coronary obstruction determined by QCA