UTERINE AND OVARIAN DISORDERS IN OLD CATS: A STUDY BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND RADIOGRAPHY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine disorders of ovaries and uteri in old domestic cats, using ultrasonography and radiography. Six intact female domestic cats, 6-9 years old that had never received any hormonal contraception were used in the study. Serum samples were taken on days 2, 4 and 6 of oestrus and analysed for oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations. On day 4 of oestrus, ovarian and uterine appearance and
diameters was determined, using ultrasonography. Hysterography was performed using an infusion of a contrast medium into the cranial vagina. The measurement of uterine diameter was done using the ultrasound and the hysterogram. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and cystic ovaries were common abnormal features. Ultrasound showed an ovarian diameter of 1.24±0.48 cm and a follicle diameter of 0.3-0.4 cm at mid-oestrus.
Cysts in the ovaries were observed with a diameter of 0.98-2.04 (3/6). Multiple cystic structures of 0.1-0.2 cm were found in the hyperplastic endometrium (5/6). Hysterography provided an overview of the uterine appearance, hyperplasia and the cystic changes in the endometrium. The diameter of the uterine horns, measured using the
ultrasound and hysterogram, was 0.66±0.22 and 0.68±0.18 cm, respectively (p<0.05). The increase and the decline of oestradiol-17β, and the basal level of progesterone concentration, during oestrus, indicated that the cystic ovaries did not produce these hormones. The study demonstrated the abnormal changes in the ovaries and uteri
of old cats, which is likely to be the cause infertility which is particularly important in endangered wild felids. It is valuable that ultrasound and hysterogram can now be used for diagnosing the pathology of ovaries and uterine disease in cats.