Motion-Mode Echocardiographic Measurement of Cardiac Dimensions in Goats and Sheep

Echocardiographic measurement of cardiac dimensions is a prerequisite for research and clinical studies of cardiac diseases. These echocardiographic values are not available in Black Bengal goats and Muzaffarnagari sheep. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the reference motion (M)-mode echocardiographic values and investigate the species-specific differences between them. M-mode echocardiographic examination was performed in clinically healthy adult non-pregnant female Black Bengal goats (n = 20) and Muzaffarnagari sheep (n = 20). Mitral valve (MV), left ventricular (LV), left atrial and aortic dimensions were measured, and parameters for systolic function were calculated. Among MV measurements, significantly (p < 0.01) higher mean velocity of early diastolic opening and mitral valve excursion amplitude was seen in Muzaffarnagari sheep as compared to Black Bengal goats. Among LV dimensions, significantly (p < 0.001) higher interventricular septal thickness at peak systole, LV internal diameter at end diastole, LV posterior wall thickness at peak systole, LV internal volume at end diastole, relative wall thickness at peak systole, mean wall thickness at end diastole, mean wall thickness at peak systole and LV mass were seen in Muzaffarnagari sheep as compared to Black Bengal goats. Established echocardiographic values in these species may be used as a reference for physiological and cardiovascular studies in future.