Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female Boa constrictor: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations

The Boa constrictor is one of the most common reptiles bred in captivity. To achieve a successful breeding season, thorough knowledge of the females’ reproductive activity is necessary. In this regard, information on the Boa constrictor is still rather scarce. T...

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Autores principales:	Mara Bertocchi, Enrico Bigliardi, Igor Pelizzone, Alessandro Vetere, Sabrina Manfredi, Diego Cattarossi, Matteo Rizzi, Francesco Di Ianni
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	MDPI AG 2021
Materias:	<i>Boa constrictor</i> reptile reproduction ultrasound Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/ce6996ffc2db4d768d93d27917d9c463
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id	oai:doaj.org-article:ce6996ffc2db4d768d93d27917d9c463
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:ce6996ffc2db4d768d93d27917d9c4632021-11-25T16:14:29ZMonitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations10.3390/ani111130692076-2615https://doaj.org/article/ce6996ffc2db4d768d93d27917d9c4632021-10-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3069https://doaj.org/toc/2076-2615The <i>Boa constrictor</i> is one of the most common reptiles bred in captivity. To achieve a successful breeding season, thorough knowledge of the females’ reproductive activity is necessary. In this regard, information on the <i>Boa constrictor</i> is still rather scarce. The aim of the present study was to monitor the ovarian activity and the embryonic development of boas by ultrasound. We performed brief scans on thirty non-anaesthetized snakes using a portable ultrasound system and a 7.5–10 MHz linear array transducer (Esaote MyLab™ Classic). Ultrasound features, dimensions, and echogenicity of the preovulatory and postovulatory follicles were determined. As gestation progresses, the postovulatory follicle size increases, and the embryonic silhouette becomes increasingly recognizable. During the second month after ovulation, by using color Doppler, early embryos’ heart activity could be evaluated. It is possible to highlight vascular connections between the mother and the membrane covering the embryonic structures. Ultrasound also allows one to identify follicular regression or slugs (nonfertilized eggs) early. The present study suggests that ultrasound could be an excellent noninvasive technique to evaluate the reproductive activity of <i>Boa constrictor</i>, allowing us to precisely identify the correct time for mating, monitor embryo development and viability, and allow the early diagnosis of follicular regression.Mara BertocchiEnrico BigliardiIgor PelizzoneAlessandro VetereSabrina ManfrediDiego CattarossiMatteo RizziFrancesco Di IanniMDPI AGarticle<i>Boa constrictor</i>reptilereproductionultrasoundVeterinary medicineSF600-1100ZoologyQL1-991ENAnimals, Vol 11, Iss 3069, p 3069 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	<i>Boa constrictor</i> reptile reproduction ultrasound Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991
spellingShingle	<i>Boa constrictor</i> reptile reproduction ultrasound Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991 Mara Bertocchi Enrico Bigliardi Igor Pelizzone Alessandro Vetere Sabrina Manfredi Diego Cattarossi Matteo Rizzi Francesco Di Ianni Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations
description	The <i>Boa constrictor</i> is one of the most common reptiles bred in captivity. To achieve a successful breeding season, thorough knowledge of the females’ reproductive activity is necessary. In this regard, information on the <i>Boa constrictor</i> is still rather scarce. The aim of the present study was to monitor the ovarian activity and the embryonic development of boas by ultrasound. We performed brief scans on thirty non-anaesthetized snakes using a portable ultrasound system and a 7.5–10 MHz linear array transducer (Esaote MyLab™ Classic). Ultrasound features, dimensions, and echogenicity of the preovulatory and postovulatory follicles were determined. As gestation progresses, the postovulatory follicle size increases, and the embryonic silhouette becomes increasingly recognizable. During the second month after ovulation, by using color Doppler, early embryos’ heart activity could be evaluated. It is possible to highlight vascular connections between the mother and the membrane covering the embryonic structures. Ultrasound also allows one to identify follicular regression or slugs (nonfertilized eggs) early. The present study suggests that ultrasound could be an excellent noninvasive technique to evaluate the reproductive activity of <i>Boa constrictor</i>, allowing us to precisely identify the correct time for mating, monitor embryo development and viability, and allow the early diagnosis of follicular regression.
format	article
author	Mara Bertocchi Enrico Bigliardi Igor Pelizzone Alessandro Vetere Sabrina Manfredi Diego Cattarossi Matteo Rizzi Francesco Di Ianni
author_facet	Mara Bertocchi Enrico Bigliardi Igor Pelizzone Alessandro Vetere Sabrina Manfredi Diego Cattarossi Matteo Rizzi Francesco Di Ianni
author_sort	Mara Bertocchi
title	Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations
title_short	Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations
title_full	Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations
title_fullStr	Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations
title_full_unstemmed	Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations
title_sort	monitoring of the reproductive cycle in captive-bred female <i>boa constrictor</i>: preliminary ultrasound observations
publisher	MDPI AG
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/ce6996ffc2db4d768d93d27917d9c463
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Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female <i>Boa constrictor</i>: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations

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