Ultrasonographic Examination of Mammary Glands in
Lactating Jennies (Equus
asinus)
Elham A Hassan*, Ahmed I Abdelgalil,
Faisal A Torad and Ashraf A Shamaa
Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and
Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University Giza,
Egypt;
*Corresponding author:elhamhassan@cu.edu.eg
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to describe
the normal ultrasonographic characteristics of the udder and teats in lactating
Jennies. Seven lactating Baladi Egyptian Jennies were examined
ultrasonographically using 6-8 MHz linear probe. Sagittal and transverse scans
of the udder parenchyma and teats were performed for right and left halves
through direct (transcutaneous) and indirect (modified stand-off pad)
techniques. Measurements of the TCL (teat canal length), TCD (teat canal
diameter), TWT (teat wall thickness) and TCD (teat cistern diameter) of both
right and left teats were compared for significant difference. The udder
parenchyma was identified as coarse granular hypoechoic structure with multiple
anechoic cavities. The teat has 3 distinct layers; the outer hyperechoic skin,
the inner hyperechoic mucosa and the hypoechoic muscle layers. No significant
differences were observed between measurements of the right and the left side.
In conclusion, ultrasonography is a safe, effective and non-invasive method that
allowed the visualization of the mammary gland (parenchyma and teat) in donkeys.
Alteration from the normal ultrasonographic appearance could be helpful for
diagnosing pathological conditions of the udder and teats.