Transrectal Doppler Characterization of Uterine Vascular Dynamics In Buffaloes With Clinical Metritis and Subsequent Recovery

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic (VGO-OPD), ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India during 2023–2024 to determine whether Doppler-based uterine hemodynamic indices can objectively differentiate the vascular alterations associated with clinical metritis in early-postpartum buffaloes and to evaluate their normalization following therapeutic recovery. The study characterized uterine vascular dynamics in pluriparous buffaloes diagnosed with clinical metritis within 21 days postpartum using transrectal color and spectral Doppler ultrasonography. Ten affected animals were evaluated, and Doppler indices of the middle uterine artery viz. resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), time-averaged maximum velocity (TMAX), arterial diameter, and blood flow volume (BFV) were recorded before and after therapeutic intervention consisting of ceftiofur, flunixin meglumine, uterine lavage, and supportive therapy. During the disease phase, RI and PI were significantly reduced (p<0.05), while TMAX, BFV, and arterial diameter were significantly increased (p<0.05), indicating uterine vasodilation and hyper perfusion associated with inflammation. All vascular parameters gradually returned toward baseline values following clinical recovery, reflecting restoration of vascular tone. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between RI and PI (r=0.63, p<0.05) and a negative association between RI and BFV (r=-0.45, p<0.05), consistent with expected hemodynamic responses.