ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Vet. Sci.
Sec. Veterinary Imaging
This article is part of the Research TopicAdvances in Veterinary 3D Modeling: Applications of CT, MRI, and Scanning TechnologiesView all 6 articles
Shear wave speed changes in the cervix and vulvar lips of Kivircik ewes before and after parturition
Provisionally accepted
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
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In recent years, the evaluation of the cervix in women during pregnancy using shear wave elastography has gained attention. However, there is limited information in animals. Pregnancy monitoring in sheep can reduce both maternal and lamb mortality rates. Quantitative and objective evaluation of the cervix and vulvar lips in pregnant ewes may help determine the presence of a healthy pregnancy and the timing of parturition. This study aims to evaluate the changes in the cervix diameter, vulvar thickness, and shear wave speed (SWS) of the cervix and vulvar lips during the days preceding normal parturition and on the day of postpartum in Kivircik ewes. Ultrasonographic measurements of 12 ewes included in the study were taken daily starting 5 days before expected parturition until 6-12 hours postpartum (Day 0). The SWS of the cervix was measured in two different regions: close to the internal os cervix (IOC) and close to the external os cervix (EOC). The highest cervical diameter was obtained on Day -1. The time-dependent differences in the mean SWS values were significant for IOC but insignificant for EOC. The mean SWS value of IOC on Day -1 (2.29±0.13 m/s) was lower than on all other evaluation days. The mean SWS value of IOC on Day 0 was higher than the values on Days -1, -2 and -3. The thickness of the vulvar lips on Day -1 was similar to the one on Day 0, but they were both higher than on all other evaluation days. The mean SWS value of the vulvar lips on Day -1 was similar to the ones on Day -2 and Day 0, but it was lower than on the Days -5, -4, and -3. In conclusion, it was possible to identify changes in the cervix and vulvar lips during the days preceding normal parturition and on the day of postpartum in the ewes. Final ripening of the IOC and edematous vulvar lips were assessed by the low SWS values. Marked uterine contractions persisting in the postpartum hours resulted in increased SWS values in IOC.
Keywords: Cervix, Ewes, Parturition, Shear wave speed, vulvar lips
Received: 11 Sep 2025; Accepted: 08 Dec 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Günay Uçmak, Uçmak, Kurban, Özbezek and EKİZ. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Zeynep Günay Uçmak
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