Use of Transabdominal Ultrasound and Maternal Hormone Testing for the Prenatal Monitoring of Equine Fetal Enlarged Bladder

Abstract

Ultrasound examination during late gestation is one of the best methods for monitoring potential pregnancy risks. Enlarged bladder is a urological disorder rarely observed in equine fetuses. This clinical case report aimed to present a case illustrating the development of equine fetal enlarged bladder using transabdominal ultrasound examinations and maternal hormone evaluation during gestation. An 8-year-old Hokkaido native pony was impregnated by embryo transfer, and at 215 days of gestation, abnormalities of the fetal bladder were detected. The bladder volume increased with gestational age, and a second bladder was observed at 257 days of gestation. No abnormalities were observed in the fetal kidneys. Moreover, the maternal plasma progesterone concentration was measured throughout the gestation period. The progesterone concentration was elevated from 36 weeks of gestation until parturition. At 363 days of gestation, parturition induction was conducted, and a foal successfully delivered. This case report is the first to describe the development of equine fetal enlarged bladder and record the corresponding ultrasound and hormone profiles.

Keywords: Equine; Fetal enlarged bladder; Hormone; Transabdominal ultrasound.