Conventional and Doppler ultrasonographic diagnosis of subclinical pregnancy toxemia with altered serum cortisol and biochemical parameters in pregnant does.

The pathogenesis and diagnosis of subclinical pregnancy toxemia (SCPT) remain elusive and need further investigation in pregnant does. Therefore, the aim of our study was to describe the typical properties of hepatic venous hemodynamics by Doppler ultrasonography. A total of 70 pregnant does were classified based on the blood serum concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (βHBA), pregnant does were categorized into control group (βHBA concentrations <0.8 mmol/L; n = 40) and SCPT group (βHBA concentrations >0.8 mmol/L; n = 30). DRAMISKI 4vet slim diagnostic ultrasound scanner with B, M, and Doppler (color, power, pulsing wave) modes was used for diagnosis of SCPT. Total serum cortisol level was quantitative using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL and LDL- cholesterol and LDH- cholesterol were measured by colorimetric and kinetic methods. Liver ultrasonography of does with SCPT had been shown mild fatty infiltration with rounded margin, which was characterized by hyperechoic area. There was a significant decrease in the values of portal vein diameter (PVD), portal vein area (PVA), portal mean velocity (PMV) and portal blood flow (PBF) in SCPT does compared to control pregnant does. PVD, PVA and PBF were negatively correlated with βHBA concentrations in does with SCPT (P < 0.05). PVD was inversely associated with serum cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations (P < 0.05). In conclusions, Doppler ultrasonography examinations of pregnant does with SCPT indicate abnormal hepatic variation. Reduced PVD, PVA, PMV and PBF together with increased βHBA concentrations could predict SCPT in does with fair sensitivity and specificity.

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Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests.