Animals (Jun 2024)

In Vivo Imaging of Rabbit Follicles through Combining Ultrasound Bio-Microscopy and Intravital Window

  • Lihan Yang,
  • Chang Yan,
  • Siming Tao,
  • Yifeilong He,
  • Jing Zhao,
  • Yanya Wang,
  • Yingjie Wu,
  • Ning Liu,
  • Yinghe Qin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14121727
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 12
p. 1727

Abstract

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Continuous ovarian imaging has been proven to be a method for monitoring the development of follicles in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combining ultrasound bio-microscopy (UBM) with an intravital window for follicle imaging in rabbits and to monitor the ovarian dynamic processes. New Zealand White female rabbits (n = 10) received ovarian translocation to a subcutaneous position. The ovarian tissue was sutured onto the abdominal muscles and covered with an intravital window for the continuous monitoring of the follicles using UBM. Results show that physiological changes (red blood cell and white blood cell counts, feed intake, and body weight change) in rabbits induced by surgery returned to normal physiological levels in one week. Furthermore, UBM could provide high-resolution imaging of follicles through the intravital window. Daily monitoring of ovarian dynamic processes for 6 days displayed variabilities in follicle counts and size. Collectively, these results provide a relatively new method to monitor ovarian dynamic processes and to understand the reproductive physiology of female rabbits.

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