Ovulation and Gravid Females in Radiographs - Egg Counts and Surprises

[Joshua Jasper]

So, since I manage multiple veterinary hospitals for a living I have access to multiple Exotics doctors in my region. I decided to swing my breeding females over to my nearby practice and shoot some radiographs of them to see how many eggs and such we have. I know ultrasound is more common of a practice in the hobby but I do find a lot of information and value in radiographs vs. ultrasound.Since I have access I will probably do this in the future routinely as part of my breeding program. I would love any thoughts or feedback, especially on my Pinstripe girl who I am surprised has no eggs. After talking with my exotics doc, we think those are follicles in the bottom part of her abdomen but he is unsure. I sent them around for a couple opinions but would love to know what you guys think.

Here they are:


2013 Clutch #1 - Bumblebee
Dam: Spider
Primary Sire: Pewter Blackback
Secondary Sire: Pastel
Radiograph Date: 05.21.2013
Estimate of 5 Eggs


Clutch #2 - Blackback Project
Dam: Normal 66% Het Piebald
Primary Sire: Pewter Blackback
Radiograph Date: 05.21.2013
Estimate of 6-7 Eggs


Clutch #3 - Jigsaw
Dam: Pinstripe
Primary Sire: Mojave
Secondary Sire: Pastel
Radiograph Date: 05.21.2013
No eggs seen on radiograph. Possible follicles but no evidence of ovulation yet. This one surprised me, as I would of put money on our Pin girl being gravid over the normal female.

Sorry for the lightness of a couple of them. Since I had the clinic email them to me I didn't get the DICOM image viewing software to edit them at home. Thanks for looking!

[charlene.payne]

This is really cool! I counted a few more than what you were estimating but Im no radiologist either. I think this would be cool to do every year tho and track each females progress.

[SlitherinSisters]

Wow those are really cool!

[Joshua Jasper]

This is really cool! I counted a few more than what you were estimating but Im no radiologist either. I think this would be cool to do every year tho and track each females progress.

I thought about doing that next year. Starting with base line radiographs before breeding and then shooting regular radiographs throughout breeding, building, and ovulation to measure follicles and the eggs. I think it would be a fun project next year!

[collrak]

Cool, thanks for sharing!

[dr del]

Hi,

I'm not great at judging but they seem a little high in the first snake to have ovulated?

As for counts I see 7 large follicles, 7 eggs and one slug ( maybe? ) and then 4 small follicles?

It is facinating to see things like this.

[Joshua Jasper]

Hi,

I'm not great at judging but they seem a little high in the first snake to have ovulated?

As for counts I see 7 large follicles, 7 eggs and one slug ( maybe? ) and then 4 small follicles?

It is facinating to see things like this.

Interesting, I was sure she has ovulated. Typical coke can appearance. Here is a picture of her same day as the X-Ray was taken:


This would be my first one so I could be off but the change was striking and consistent with what I think is an ovulation. Thoughts?

As for the counts, mind describing which radiographs you are describing and what the difference is between follicles and eggs on the Radiographs I am genuinely interested in how to tell them apart and also which one you are thinking is a slug?

Thanks so much for the feedback, I was hoping someone had looked at them before

[Action Reptiles]

That is very cool to see..

[DooLittle]

Those are very cool to see. Thanks for sharing!

[dr del]

Well,

Remember - I could very well be lowering my trousers to talk.

Interesting, I was sure she has ovulated. Typical coke can appearance. Here is a picture of her same day as the X-Ray was taken:


This would be my first one so I could be off but the change was striking and consistent with what I think is an ovulation. Thoughts?

As for the counts, mind describing which radiographs you are describing and what the difference is between follicles and eggs on the Radiographs I am genuinely interested in how to tell them apart and also which one you are thinking is a slug?

Thanks so much for the feedback, I was hoping someone had looked at them before

In this one they seem very compressed and somewhat staggered or offset.

When palpating I often feel this with follicles but, after ovulation, they get spaced out in the oviduct in much more of a single line. Compare the above with this one to see what I mean;



That pic also shows what I think might be a slug closest to the vent. It could of course be nothing at all but if it is the size difference between it and the others is what makes me think slug.

Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in and give more input.


del