Friday, September 7, 2012

Imaging

Imaging. Transabdominal US was carried out with a 15-MHz transducer (Acuson Sequoia System, 3.5 x 1 cm 15L8 transducer, Siemens Corporation, Mountain View, CA). The system we used costs between $300,000 and $400,000, depending on options and discounts. The transducer probe costs between $17,000 and $18,000.

The abdomens of the dams were shaved, and coupling gel was applied. The animals were placed supine on a table and held gently either by the operator performing the imaging or the person applying the anesthesia. Preliminary work demonstrated that gestational sacs could not be detected reliably until day 9.5 DPC. In addition, we found that assessment of the presence of vaginal plugging was not reliable in determining the status of viable pregnancies. Therefore, imaging was carried out from 9.5 DPC until 20.5 DPC or delivery. We imaged 3 groups of dams each a maximum of 4 times, with 1 group of pregnant animals imaged on DPC 9.5, 12.5, 16.5, and 19.5, another group imaged on days 10.5, 13.5, 17.5, and 20.5, and the third group on days 11.5, 14.5, 15.5, and 18.5. 

Velocity, gain, and filter settings were optimized for each examination. Doppler studies were included as part of every examination at every gestational age. To optimize visualization, we electronically magnified the images and used a wide dynamic range (90 dB). Color Doppler images were obtained in sagittal and transverse orientation at the following settings: power Doppler flow map, power Doppler gain of 50%, and no frequency filtering. Our pharmacy is ready to become your favorite one, because we have all the experience and expertise it takes. Whenever your visit canadian neighbor pharmacy, you can be sure your drugs will be timely delivered, their quality will be impeccable, no matter if you choose brand or generic kind, and the package will arrive discreetly.




Figure 2. Gestational sacs at 10.5 DPC. (A) 2 gestational sacs (delineated by markers). (B) Differentiation of placenta (P) from fetal pole (F).

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