THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE MAMMARY GLAND IN LACTATING COWS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of visualization and characterization of the mammary glands structures in lactating cows through 3D ultrasonography. Ten Black-and-white cows, 5 years of age, weighing 380–450 kg, were included in the experiment. The cows were reared in the cattle barn of the Experimental Farm of the Trakia University – Stara Zagora. The animals were in third lactation, between the 2nd and 4th months of lactation. Ultrasound examinations of the mammary gland was made through transcutaneous approach with linear transducer at a frequency of 10.0 MHz. The 3D sonography at the top of the teat was characterized by a clear visualization of the morphological structures papillary orifice, teat canal and rosette of Furstenberg. Above them, in the three-dimensional image were differentiated three-layer construction of the teat wall, as well as milk in the teat cistern. At the boundary between teat and gland cistern of the mammary gland, as clear rounded structures in 3D images were visualized vessels of the Furstenberg’s venous ring. When examining the body of the udder, three-dimensional ultrasonography allowed characterization of lactiferous ducts in gland cistern and normal mammary parenchyma. Our results indicate that 3D ultrasonography of the mammary gland in dairy cows allows detailed imaging of the morphological structures located therein. This will lead to more accurate diagnosis and prognosis in cases of pathological changes localized in teat and mammary parenchyma of the udder.