in conjunction with enhanced contrast agents was chosen over the use of PW as it allows assessment of perfusion

In a larger ROI than PW Doppler and has a higher resolution capability, both are essential in imaging of the small sized vessels of the ovary. Detailed studies using intravital microscopy have shown that microbubbles with a diameter of less than 5 mm are small enough to allow their free movement through the bloodstream, remain confined to the vasculature and are cleared from the blood in about 15 minutes. This methodology does not disrupt tissue dynamics and physiological processes, and allows studies with imaging at multiple time points. Both methods- ultrasound imaging in conjunction with enhanced contrast agents and PW Doppler were compared and validated. A significant acute reduction in ovarian blood volume was observed already 3 minutes after an IV injection of doxorubicin. To explore whether this phenomenon is unique to the ovary, we further studied the other gonad. We examined the vascular effect in testes of male mice treated with doxorubicin. Here due to the superficial location and dimension of the testicular vasculature we employed the PW Doppler and revealed the same pattern of vascular effect as in the ovaries. Subsequently, to further assess whether this was an exclusive gonadal vascular effect or a generalized effect appears in vessels of non end-organs, the femoral vasculature was imaged as a reference. The significant reduction in femoral arterial blood flow that remained compromised throughout the experiment indicated a generalized phenomenon. It is estimated that the non-significant decrease in ovarian blood volume 10 and 20 minutes after doxorubicin administration is due to Ibrutinib technical reasons: since the ovary is located within the peritoneal cavity, its blood flow measurement is affected partially by the bowel movements. The measurements in the later time points demonstrated a trend that was not statistically significant probably due to above reason. The testicular blood flow is not affected by those factors and hence is better displayed. Nevertheless, we can postulate upon the testicular blood flow dynamics that resembled those of the femoral vasculature that the same pattern applies also for the ovarian vasculature, supported by the acute significant decrease in blood volume. The acute vascular effect of the testicular vessels may be attributed also by the unique microcirculation of the testes. This architecture prones the testes to pathophysiological states as varicocele, but also potentially to exogenous toxicants. Former studies have characterized this distinctive vasculature.

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