Ultrasound imaging in reproductive science

“灰阶实时超声检查是自经直肠触诊和放射免疫测定法引入以来，动物研究和临床生殖领域最深刻的技术进步。”1986年，生殖生理学先驱OJ Ginther首次提出这一观点，时至今日，这一观点依然正确。超声检查提供了一个窗口，通过它我们可以看到身体的内部形式和功能，即时，反复，没有中断或有害的影响。超声检查在生殖事件研究中的应用比其他任何研究领域都要多，它彻底改变了我们对卵巢卵泡和黄体动力学、排卵、生殖周期内分泌学、胚胎-子宫相互作用以及旨在改善或预防受孕的治疗效果的理解。牛的卵巢功能模型可能是所有物种中研究得最充分的，卵泡波浪模式的发现和优势/排卵卵泡的选择机制已经形成了许多其他物种（包括女性）后续研究的基础。我们一直处于这项研究的前沿。我们将使用便携式高分辨率超声设备对家畜（如牛和骆驼）控制卵巢功能的机制进行持续研究，并建立野生濒危物种（如木野牛、北方毛海豹）生殖周期的正常特征。研究将包括对卵巢卵泡、黄体和血管的二维和三维超声图像进行计算机辅助分析，以检验单次超声检查就能准确评估生殖周期的生理阶段和健康状况的假设。超声设备的技术进步提供了令人兴奋的机会，可以使用在严格的实验室环境下获得的图像以及在现场收集的图像来验证这一假设。目前需要投资一种新的、最先进的超声系统，以确保申请人在nserc支持的研究项目中建立的卓越地位。

"Gray-scale, real-time ultrasonography is the most profound technological advance in the field of animal research and clinical reproduction since the introduction of transrectal palpation and radioimmunoassay." This is as true today as when it was first stated by pioneering reproductive physiologist, OJ Ginther in 1986. Ultrasonography provides a window through which we may view the internal form and function of the body instantly, repeatedly, and without disruption or deleterious effects. Ultrasonography has been employed in the study of reproductive events more than in any other field of study, and has revolutionized our understanding of ovarian follicle and luteal dynamics, ovulation, reproductive cycle endocrinology, embryo-uterine interactions, and the effects of treatments designed to improve or prevent conception. The bovine model of ovarian function is perhaps the most well-studied of any species, and discoveries of follicular wave patterns and the mechanism of selection of the dominant/ovulatory follicle have formed the basis of subsequent studies in many other species, including women. We have been at the forefront of this research. We will employ the use of portable, high-resolution ultrasound equipment to on-going studies of mechanisms controlling ovarian function in domestic species (e.g., bovine and camelid), and establish the normal characteristics of the reproductive cycle of wild threatened species (Wood bison, Northern fur seal). Studies will include computer-assisted analysis of 2- and 3-dimentional ultrasound images of ovarian follicles, corpora lutea and vascularity, to test the hypothesis that the physiologic stage and health of the reproductive cycle can be accurately assessed on the basis of a single ultrasound examination. Technological advances in ultrasound equipment have provided exciting opportunities to test this hypothesis using images acquired under strict laboratory settings, as well as those collected in the field. An investment in a new, state-of-the-art ultrasound system is needed at this time to ensure a position of pre-eminence that has been established as a result the applicants' NSERC-supported research programs.