Advances in Thermal Image Analysis for the Detection of Pregnancy in Horses Using Infrared Thermography.
Sensors (Basel)
; 22(1)2021 Dec 28.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35009733
ABSTRACT
Infrared thermography (IRT) was applied as a potentially useful tool in the detection of pregnancy in equids, especially native or wildlife. IRT measures heat emission from the body surface, which increases with the progression of pregnancy as blood flow and metabolic activity in the uterine and fetal tissues increase. Conventional IRT imaging is promising; however, with specific limitations considered, this study aimed to develop novel digital processing methods for thermal images of pregnant mares to detect pregnancy earlier with higher accuracy. In the current study, 40 mares were divided into non-pregnant and pregnant groups and imaged using IRT. Thermal images were transformed into four color models (RGB, YUV, YIQ, HSB) and 10 color components were separated. From each color component, features of image texture were obtained using Histogram Statistics and Grey-Level Run-Length Matrix algorithms. The most informative color/feature combinations were selected for further investigation, and the accuracy of pregnancy detection was calculated. The image texture features in the RGB and YIQ color models reflecting increased heterogeneity of image texture seem to be applicable as potential indicators of pregnancy. Their application in IRT-based pregnancy detection in mares allows for earlier recognition of pregnant mares with higher accuracy than the conventional IRT imaging technique.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Algoritmos
/
Termografía
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sensors (Basel)
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Polonia