Ultrasonic Imaging andAnimal Reproduction:Color-DopplerUltrasonography—Book 4O.J. Ginther, VMD, PhDEquiservices Publishing,2007, 258 pp.Order online: www.equipub.com.

There is no dispute that Dr. O. J.Ginther is the world’s expert onreproductive ultrasonography.

This is Book 4 in a series of ultrasono-graphic imaging. Most reproductivebiologists, including myself, considerthis series of books essential for gain-ing a better understanding of ultraso-nography and reproductive biology.Book 4 has some major advances overits predecessors, which include fullcolor throughout, including a color-Doppler�like color bar at the topoutline of each page, color-codedsummaries, and the words ‘‘horses’’and ‘‘cattle’’ highlighted in red sothat the species-oriented reader canfocus on the species of interest. Alsoincluded are brief sections on humanreproductive ultrasonography. Thisbook contains spectacular ultrasoundimages, diagrams, and photographs.The summary sections provided atthe end of each chapter are extremelyuseful and provide a quick overviewof the material covered in eachchapter.

The book is divided into five sec-tions: part 1 contains the basics, part2 is on ovaries, part 3 discusses theuterus and pregnancy, part 4 coversstallions and bulls, and part 5 is an ap-

BOOK REVIEW

0737-0806/$ - see front matter

� 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2008.07.010

494

pendix containing the bibliographyand subject index.

Chapter 1 provides a description ofthe arterial systems, locating theovarian and uterine arteries, hemody-namics, sedation and Doppler ultra-sonography. This Chapter containsbeautiful figures of both the mare andcow as well as B-mode ultrasonogra-phy scans of the uterine artery in thehorse.

Chapter 2 goes through an excellentreview of the principles of B-modeultrasonography and a description ofDoppler. For those who know verylittle of the principles of Doppler ultra-sonography, chapter 2 provides a verydetailed, easily understood descriptionof Doppler effects.

Chapter 3 provides a description ofhow color-flow images are produced.Dr. Ginther indicates that Doppler im-ages could be used to help the clinicianmake judgments concerning the ovu-latory potential of large follicles, ex-pected time of ovulation, status ofthe corpus luteum, and the likelihoodof early embryonic death. Informationalso may be gained on the suitability ofthe follicle for producing an oocytethat will result in fertilization. Thereis a great summary in this chapter onthe instrumentation for color-flowimaging with schematic drawings. Inaddition, Dr. Ginther provides infor-mation on adjusting a scanner for ob-taining good color-flow images.

Determination of blood flow veloc-ity by spectral mode is discussed ingreat detail in Chapter 4. Althoughthis procedure may not be as popularas color-flow mode, this technique de-termines the extent of vascular perfu-sion in tissues, which has importantimplications.

The section on follicle blood flow,contained in Chapter 5, begins witha review of follicle selection and the de-viation hypothesis. Studies are de-scribed concerning the changes inDoppler flow at the time of ovulationin both cycling mares and during thetransition period. This chapter alsocontains information on Dr. Ginther’shypothesis regarding anovulation.

Journal of Equine Ve

The corpus luteum (CL) is one ofthe most vascularized structures inthe body. Dr. Ginther presents a sum-mary of the information on blood flowto the CL in Chapter 6. He states that,in horses, there is no indication that ei-ther an acute increase or decrease inblood flow occurs before the decreasein progesterone. Studies on thetemporal relationship between lutealdevelopment and regression andchanges in luteal blood flow in horsesand cattle are reviewed in this chapter.The color-flow images of the corpusluteum are absolutely stunning. Theinformation on anovulatory follicles isparticularly interesting and of clinicalimportance.

Chapters 7 and 8 deal with bloodflow to the uterus and embryo. Chap-ter 7 deals with color-flow imagingduring the estrous cycle and for thefirst 3 weeks of gestation. Dr. Gintherindicates that endometrial vascularperfusion was similar between non-pregnant and pregnant mares until anincrease occurred in both horns ofpregnant mares by day 12. Perfusionwas greater in the horn of embryo fixa-tion. He also presents in this chaptera uterine index that can be used to di-agnose impending embryonic deathin mares. Blood flow in older embryosand fetuses is presented in Chapter 8.Dr. Ginther discusses the possible roleof abnormal blood flow in infertility.

Blood flow in the male genitalia inboth the stallion and bull is pre-sented in Chapter 9. Dr. Gintherstates that studies in stallions weredelayed until just recently. However,in men, Doppler flow is used tostudy development and pathology ofthe testis, scrotum, spermatic cord,and penis. In addition, blood flow as-sessment of the testicular artery canbe quite useful.

In summary, this fourth book in theseries on ultrasonic imaging is abso-lutely essential for those research sci-entists and clinicians interested in thepossible application of color-Dopplerultrasonography.

Ed Squires, PhDEditor, JEVS

terinary Science � Vol 28, No 8 (2008)