About this Research Topic

Background

The use of ultrasound techniques in animal reproduction is becoming more significant since they provide a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Moreover, understanding how ultrasound technology is used is therefore essential in modern animal sciences, as ultrasound tests are now a part of diagnostic procedures in reproduction. The new knowledge produced by ultrasonography has shed light on therapeutic applications, presenting new research opportunities. Moreover, diagnostic or therapeutic uses for ultrasound-guided interventional methods are possible. Advanced ultrasound techniques including Doppler, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, elastography, and 3D/4D ultrasonography were developed to improve the diagnostic sensitivity of two-dimensional (b-mode) ultrasound, not as standalone exams. These modern ultrasonic techniques are briefly described, along with the fundamental physics and benefits and drawbacks of each. These approaches have become more widely used in the reproductive diagnostics of large and small animals, as seen by the increased publishing of various publications. Due to a shortage of studies on the diagnostic usefulness in real-world circumstances in many diseases, clinical applicability has been restricted to date.
Early identification of animals carrying twin foetuses allows for the implementation of different management strategies to avoid the negative effects of twinning on the mother animal's overall health as well as at parturition. Ultrasound technology also allows for the visualisation of ovarian and uterine pathology, allowing for the identification of animals that fail to conceive. Additionally, ultrasonography can be used to determine the sex of a foetus in pregnancy. Future studies should concentrate on standardising the applied procedures, establishing cut-off points to distinguish between healthy and diseased states, fertile and infertile states, and the prognostic value of advanced ultrasound findings. This article examines the developments and uses of ultrasonography in domestic animal reproductive.
Overall, the main goal of this Research Topic is to throw light on recent advances and practical applications of diagnostic ultrasound in animal reproduction in order to assay the organ functionality. This brings up the question: can we develop an accurate diagnosis of many diseases in animal reproduction via using different modes of ultrasound, which is still robust enough for daily routine work?
The aim of this current Research Topic is to demonstrate novel and advanced ultrasonographic tools in normal reproductive management as well as in diagnostic application that could potentially mirror the fertility performance in both male and female. The main areas to be included in this Research Topic, but not exclusively limited to, are:

- Innovative ultrasound methods in small animal reproduction imaging.
- The role of trans-rectal ultrasonography in bovine Artificial Insemination Program.
- Practical applications of ultrasound in bovine reproduction including imaging of the ovary and uterus as a diagnostic tool.
- Using of veterinary ultrasound in examination and confirmation of ovarian cysts, early pregnancy detection, identification of twins and foetal sexing.
-The capability of using ultrasound that has helped unlock some of the mysteries of animal folliculogenesis.
-Application of diagnostic ultrasound in differentiation between inactive ovaries and functional ovaries in bovine and ovine species.

-Application of Doppler ultrasound as a tool for diagnosis of testicular dysfunction in animals.
-Using Doppler ultrasound in assess the organ functionality in order to detect the abnormal one.

Keywords: Fertility, Artificial insemination, Small animals, Doppler, Reproduction

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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