Transcutaneous Ultrasonography: a new method to study characteristics of Ovarian Follicles in Duck

Abstract

In poultry, ovarian morphology of parent has got major positive effect on egg production and laying sequence. So far, limited reports are available regarding application of ultrasonography to evaluate ovarian status of chicken but no such published reports are available on duck. This preliminary study was undertaken to describe the ovarian and follicular characteristics in laying duck using non - invasive transcutaneous ultrasound method. The ultrasonographic examinations were done using a real time B Mode portable ultrasound scanner [SA - 600V (Medison Co. Ltd., Korea)] fitted with a 6.5 MHz micro convex array triple frequency transcutaneous probe. The follicles appeared as clusters or as single large follicle depending upon the position of the transducer. The cluster of large yellow follicle (LYF) appeared as dark circles or ovals with light to bright hyperechoic concentric rings and narrow white borders indicating the follicle wall. Sonographically follicles could be classified into four categories based on its diameter. The average diameter (mm) of preovulatory, large, medium and small was 41.75±1.75 (n=2), 32.29±0.99 (n=7), 27.00±1.19 (n=4) and 13.90±1.54 (n=5). It is concluded that ultrasonography could be employed as a potential non - invasive tool to study ovarian follicular status in ducks.