Evaluation of postpartum uterine involution in Kıvırcık ewes by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oxytocin and carazolol on uterine involution in postpartum Kıvırcık ewes. Thirty primiparous suckling Kıvırcık ewes were divided into 3 groups: carazolol, oxytocin, and control. The ewes underwent transcutaneous B-mode USG in the 1st week after birth, and the examinations continued via transrectal USG until the 28th day of postpartum (pp). The pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), and systolic/diastolic (S/D) velocity ratio were recorded for uterine artery by Doppler USG. On postpartum 21st day, gravid horn diameter reduction was best achieved in the carazolol group. The PI values were found to be statistically significant (P˂0.001) on days 14 and 21 pp. The mean RI values of uterine artery were statistically higher (P˂0.01) in the oxytocin group. The highest RI value was detected on the 14th day of pp. The carazolol group had statistically higher (P˂0.05) mean S/D values when compared to other groups. In conclusion, the most effective drug used to accelerate involution was found to be carazolol. The drugs used in this study appeared to have a contraction effect on the uterine arteries.