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/lp/springer-journals/pulse-wave-doppler-ultrasound-of-testicular-arteries-and-their-EB16ajm4Et
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- Springer Journals
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- Copyright © 2018 by The Author(s).
- Subject
- Life Sciences; Agriculture; Biotechnology; Food Science; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animal Physiology
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- 2049-1891
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- 10.1186/s40104-017-0229-6
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Abstract
Background: Semen evaluation is used to estimate the testicular function. In bulls, the spermatozoa present in the ejaculate are the result of a process that begun more than 2 mo earlier, bequeathing a delayed depiction of the actual function of the testis. Since testis vascularization might be critical for the gonad function, selected pulse wave Doppler ultrasound parameters were assessed in this study, for instance the peak systolic velocity, the end diastolic velocity and the resistive index of the testicular artery along the spermatic cord, the marginal portion of the testicular artery and the intratesticular branches of the testicular artery both in healthy adult and young bulls. Correlations between these parameters and characteristics of semen that was collected numerous times, before and after the Doppler ultrasound examination. Results: The peak systolic velocity and the end diastolic velocity measured in the testicular artery along the spermatic cord (supratesticular artery – SA) were variable among the bulls and within individual bulls, likely due to the convoluted course of the vessel. The resistive index was found highly repeatable in the same bull. A reduction in the resistive index was found between the supratesticular artery and the marginal portion of the testicular artery (P < 0.01), and between the marginal portion of the testicular artery and the intratesticular branches of the testicular artery (P < 0.05). No differences were recorded for the pulse wave Doppler ultrasound parameters in young bulls compared with adults. A significant correlation was found between the resistive index of the marginal portion of the testicular artery and total sperm in the ejaculate (r = 0.516, P < 0.05), the immature sperm (r = 0.462, P < 0.05), the teratoid sperm (r = 0.375, P < 0.05), and the “Dag defect” sperm (r = 0.389, P < 0.05). Similarly, the resistive index of the intratesticular branches of the testicular artery were found correlated with the total sperm number in the ejaculate (r = 0.568, P < 0.05), the immature sperm (r = 0.523, P < 0.05), the teratoid sperm (r = 0.418, P < 0.05), and the “Dag defect” sperm (r = 0.341, P < 0.05). Conclusions: The data presented in this study suggest that the resistive index, measured at the marginal portion of the testicular artery, could be an easy-to-perform parameter to evaluate the spermatogenesis quality in young bulls and normal adults. Keywords: Bull, Pulse wave Doppler, Sperm morphology, Testis, Ultrasound * Correspondence: acontri@unite.it Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s). 2018 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. Gloria et al. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2018) 9:14 Page 2 of 7 Background There are no data concerning the application of the In the breeding soundness evaluation of the bull, the scrotal PWDU to evaluate the testicular function in the bull. circumference and semen analysis are widely used as refer- Consequently, the aim of the present study was to assess ence to assess the testicular function [1]. However, since the associations between the selected PWDU parameters the duration of spermatogenesis in the bulls takes approxi- (peak systolic velocity – PSV; end diastolic velocity – mately 62 d, and the epididymal transit takes 11 d [2], the EDV; resistive index – RI) obtained from the testicular mature spermatozoa that are present in the ejaculate had artery and its branches, and sperm characteristics. The entered spermatogenesis approximately 70 d earlier. For ultimate goal of the study was to verify if these PWDU this reason, the results of semen evaluation performed at parameters could be used to evaluate the actual status of any given time, reflect an actual testicular function with a the testis in the bull. significant delay [3]. This could affect our ability to monitor a progression of testicular diseases or to assess the effective- Methods ness of treatment. Animals Testicular parenchyma is supplied by a long testicular This study was performed on 18 Swiss Brown bulls, nine artery, showing low oxygen tension [4–6] and low arterial adult (mean 6.8 ± 2.3 yr, 4 to 7 yr) and nine young (mean capillary pressure, which was found to be only marginally 21.3 ± 3.6 mo, 17 to 24 mo) regularly used in artificial in- higher than in venous counterpart [4, 7]. Furthermore, an semination (AI) programs. The bulls, owned by the alteration in the blood flow would result in a gonadal dys- Superbrown Consortium, were housed in the Alpenseme function [6]. Some studies performed in rats [8, 9] and in AI Center of the Provincial Breeders Federation of Trento rams [10] have shown that long-term total ligation of the (Ton, Trento, Italy). The animals were maintained accord- testicular artery or partial lumen occlusion caused arterio- ing to the Italian legislation on animal care (DL No. 116, sclerosis in the testicular artery and selective damage to 27/01/1992). The owner of the animals gave his consent spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes. Kay et al. to the performed procedure. Aliquots for semen evalua- [11] reported that a totally absent spermatogenesis, or tions were part of the ejaculates routinely collected in the existing only in a small proportion of seminiferous tu- artificial insemination centre, and no semen collections bules, was obtained by the experimentally-induced restric- were performed specifically for the study. tion of the testicular artery in bulls, demonstrating the central role of the perfusion in the testicular function. The ultrasonographic evaluation of the scrotal content Pulse wave Doppler ultrasound examination represents one of the central investigations that can be For the ultrasound examination, the bull was restrained in exploited to assess the testicular function. Several studies a bovine individual steel stanchion, and a posterior ap- tested the use of ultrasonography (US) to determine the proach to the scrotal region was used, without the need of normal testicular function [12] or to detect pathologies sedative administration. The scrotal skin was cleaned, and [13, 14]. The US evaluation with pixel intensity in the B- 70% ethyl alcohol and ultrasonographic gel (Aquasonic mode was found effective in monitoring the testicular 100, Parker Laboratories Inc., Fairfield, NJ, USA) were ap- maturation in the beef bulls [15, 16] or to evaluate the plied to increase the quality of the ultrasound image. A acute testicular damage after insulation [17], but had portable ultrasound machine Logiq Book XP (GE Health- limited diagnostic value in absence of focal lesions of the care, Wauwatosa, WI, USA) equipped with a 10-MHz lin- testis in adult bulls [16]. ear probe (I739RS - GE Healthcare) was used. The scan High-resolution color Doppler US was recently pro- depth was 10 cm for all the examinations. posed as a tool to evaluate the testicular vasculature The images were acquired at 10 MHz, and the sample and, in turn, the perfusion of the testis. In human medi- volume was set to 1 mm. All the ultrasound machine cine color Doppler US has been employed to evaluate settings remained unchanged during the trial. Initially, testicular blood flow in pathological conditions [18, 19]. the probe was applied on the spermatic cord with hori- Furthermore, the quantitative evaluation of testicular zontal orientation to examine the SA. Subsequently, the blood flow by pulse wave Doppler ultrasound (PWDU) probe was moved to the rear face of the scrotum with in human was suggested to predict the testicular func- vertical orientation and moved equatorially with the tion [20, 21]. In veterinary medicine, some studies have same orientation around the scrotum, in order to iden- described the method for the PWDU in the dog [22, 23] tify and examine the MA and the IA. After the vessel de- and the horse [24–26], but the applicability of these tection, the orientation of the probe was adjusted to techniques to evaluate the sperm production and tes- achieve the visualization of at least 3-mm recognizable ticular activity received limited attention. Additionally, longitudinal section, the sample volume marker was the repeatability of the method carried out in these stud- pointed on the vessel, the angle of insonation was ad- ies was not tested by a specific statistical design. justed in the window below 60 degrees to obtain a valid Gloria et al. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2018) 9:14 Page 3 of 7 velocimetric measures along the course of the artery, Sperm motility evaluation and at least three spectral curves were followed. The sperm kinetic parameters were determined using a The peak systolic velocity (PSV, m/s), the end diastolic computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) IVOS 12.3 velocity (EDV; m/s), and the resistive index [RI; calcu- (Hamilton-Thorne Bioscience, Beverly, MA, USA). Motil- lated as (PSV-EDV)/PSV] were measured by the internal ity parameters were collected and recorded by the analysis algorithm. All the measurement procedures were re- of 12 nonconsecutive fields. The anticollision algorithm peated three times. was activated. Makler chamber was used for analysis [31]. The parameters considered in this study were total motil- Semen collection and evaluation ity (TM, %), progressive motility (PM, %), average path For each bull, semen collections and evaluations were per- velocity (VAP, μm/s), straight line velocity (VSL, μm/s), formed d − 60 and d −30 beforethePWDU, thedayofthe curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm/s), amplitude of lateral head PWDU (d 0), and d 30, d 60, and d 90 after the PWDU. displacement (ALH, μm), beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz), Semen was collected using an artificial vagina in a sterile straightness (STR, as VSL/VAP, %), and linearity (LIN, as 13-mL plastic tube. The volume (VOL, mL) was estimated VSL/VCL, %). The software was set as previously reported by the ejaculate weight measured with a precision balance [28, 32]. Spermatozoa with a VAP ≥ 80 μm/s and STR ≥ CP6201 (Sartorius AG, Gottingen, Germany). The concen- 75% were considered progressive. tration (CONC, × 10 sperm/mL) was estimated using Accucell photometer (IMV Technologie, L’Aigle, France). Statistical analysis Total sperm/ejaculate (TSE, × 10 sperm/mL) was calcu- The data presented in this study were reported as mean lated as: VOL × CONC. ± standard deviation (SD). The data recorded for nor- mality were tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Sperm membrane integrity evaluation Since the data were normally distributed (P > 0.05), the Membrane integrity (MI) was evaluated using a conven- PWDU parameters (PSV, EDV and RI), measured in trip- tional epifluorescent double stain with propidium iodide licate, were analyzed using generalized linear model (PI) and SYBR-14 fluorescent stain (LIVE/DEAD® Sperm (GLM) for repeated measures while the testicle (right vs. Viability Kit; Molecular Probes Inc., Eugene, OR, USA) as left), the age (young vs. adult), and the type of the vessel previously described [27] with some modifications [28]. (SA, MA, and IA) were considered fixed factors. As per Briefly, an aliquot (1 mL) of diluted semen was incubated the vessel type, the post-hoc evaluation was performed with 2.4 μmol/L of PI and 20 nmol/L of SYBR-14 at 37 °C using the Scheffé test. For semen characteristics, VOL, under lightproof conditions. After 10 min, spermatozoa CONC, TSE, MI, sperm abnormalities, and sperm kine- were immobilized with 10 μL of 3% glutaraldehyde, and matics, the GLM for repeated measures was used, con- 6 μL of this solution was placed on a slide. A cover slip was sidering the age of the bull as a fixed factor. applied, and the stained spermatozoa were examined with Possible correlations between the sperm parameters an Olympus BX51 epifluorescence microscope (Olympus and the testicular vascular measurements were assessed Italy, Milan, Italy). Spermatozoa with bright green fluores- by the calculation of the Pearson correlation coefficient. cence (SYBR-14) were considered viable, those partially or The differences were considered significant when P ≤ totally red (PI) were considered dead. The percentage of 0.05. The statistical evaluations were performed using spermatozoa with membrane integrity was calculated on at the SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). least 400 spermatozoa for each sample. Results Sperm morphology evaluation The PWDU of the testis was relatively simple in all bulls. Sperm morphology was evaluated using phase contrast Only the evaluation of the IA required more time for microscopy (magnification: × 1000) after fixation with the measurement, due to the frequent movement of the 0.9% NaCl solution with 3% glutaraldehyde [29]. In this bulls during the procedure. The pulse wave Doppler US study, immature (underdeveloped) sperm, double forms, parameters and the sperm characteristics were normally acrosome defects (knobbed head or head with craters), distributed (P > 0.05). All PWDU values (PSV, EDV, RI), decapitated sperm, teratoid head, diadem defect, pear- were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in SA than in MA, shape defect, macrocephalic head, microcephalic head, which was in turn significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the corkscrew defect, tail stumps, Dag defect, proximal IA for PSV, and RI. End diastolic velocity showed similar droplets were considered major defects. Bent or kinked (P < 0.05) values in the MA and IA. No differences in midpiece, distally coiled tail, bent tail, and distal cyto- the crude values were recorded in the corresponding re- plasmic droplet were considered minor sperm defects gion of the artery between young and adult bulls. In all [30]. Percentages of sperm abnormalities were calculated cases, the PWDU values registered in the different re- over evaluation of at least 200 spermatozoa. gions of the testicular artery, were similar in the right Gloria et al. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2018) 9:14 Page 4 of 7 and left testis (Table 1). The GLM for repeated measures Table 2 Semen characteristics in young (n =9) and adult (n = 9) bulls showed that the values of PSV and EDV recorded in the SA artery were significantly variable (P < 0.01) in the Yong bulls Adult bulls same bull, but the MA and the IA were similar (P < Mean ± SD Mean ± SD a b 0.05). Resistive index measured in various regions of the Volume, mL 5.1 ± 1.5 9.2 ± 2.3 testicular artery was similar within the same bull. 6 a b Concentration, ×10 /mL 856 ± 221 1148 ± 324 Semen characteristics are summarized in Table 2. As re- 9 a b Total sperm per ejaculate, × 10 5.6 ± 1.1 9.1 ± 1.4 vealed by the GLM for repeated measures, no significant a a Membrane integrity, % 87.2 ± 8.4 86.8 ± 7.1 changes in the semen quality were recorded along the a a Total motility, % 91 ± 4 89 ± 5 study. The bull age significantly affected the volume, the a a concentration, and the total sperm number in the ejaculate Progressive motility, % 84 ± 5 81 ± 5 a a (P <0.01). On the other hand, sperm membrane integrity VAP, μm/s 121.4 ± 30.6 127.9 ± 32.7 was similar in young and adult bulls. The total amount of a a VSL, μm/s 108.9 ± 25.9 99.3 ± 21.9 sperm abnormalities ranged between 10 to 23% in all sub- a a VCL, μm/s 162.9 ± 53 184.6 ± 43.6 jects, with mean values of 8.4 ± 3.2% in the young bulls and a a ALH, μm 5.6 ± 2.3 6.8 ± 2.1 14.3 ± 6.9% in the adults. However, the abnormal forms a a BCF, Hz 38.1 ± 10.7 40.2 ± 9.5 were highly variable among individuals (P < 0.01), as evi- a a denced by the standard deviation (Table 3). No differences STR, % 89 ± 9 87 ± 7 a a (P > 0.05) were found in the percentage of the different ab- LIN, % 69 ± 7 62 ± 6 normalities between adult and young bulls. Furthermore, Average path velocity (VAP); straight line velocity (VSL); curvilinear velocity the percentage of total sperm abnormalities, such as the dif- (VCL); amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH); beat cross frequency (BCF); straightness (STR); linearity (LIN) ferent type of sperm defects, were similar (P >0.05) within Means bearing different superscripts (a and b) in a row differ samples collected from the same bull. significantly (P < 0.05) Significant correlations were found between the RI, measured in both the MA and the IA, and TSE (r = 0.516, P < 0.05; r = 0.568, P < 0.05, respectively), imma- ture sperm (r = 0.462, P < 0.05; r = 0.523, P < 0.05, re- Table 3 Abnormal sperm morphology in young (n = 9) and spectively), teratoid sperm (r = 0.375, P < 0.05; r = 0.418, adult (n = 9) bulls P < 0.05, respectively), and sperm with “Dag defect” (r = Young bulls Adult bulls 0.389, P < 0.05; r = 0.341, P < 0.05, respectively). The Mean ± SD Mean ± SD other seminal characteristics were not significantly cor- Major abnormalities, % 6.1 ± 2.31 10.1 ± 5.42 related with the PWDU parameters. Immature sperm, % 0.4 ± 0.2 1.3 ± 0.7 Double forms, % 0.2 ± 0.2 0.3 ± 0.2 Discussion Acrosome defects (knobbed acrosome), % 0.5 ± 0.1 0.7 ± 0.3 The PWUD of the testicular vasculature was previously studied in several species, such as human [20, 21, 33–37], Decapitated head, % 1.2 ± 0.3 2.1 ± 0.8 stallion [25, 38], dog [22, 23, 39–41], and rat [42], both in Teratoid heads, % 0.7 ± 0.2 1.1 ± 0.6 normal and pathological conditions. The PWDU of the Diadem defects, % 0.1 ± 0.07 0.1 ± 0.1 Table 1 Perfusion parameters measured in the spermatic cord Pear-shaped defects, % 0.2 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.2 testicular artery (SA), marginal portion of the testicular artery Macrocephalic head, % 0.1 ± 0.1 0.1 ± 0.06 (MA), and intratesticular branches of the testicular artery (IA) of Microcephalic head, % 0.8 ± 0.2 1.1 ± 0.5 the bulls (n = 18) Corkscrew defects, % 0.1 ± 0.14 0.2 ± 0.16 SA MA IA Tail stumps, % 0.2 ± 0.1 0.2 ± 0.2 Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Mean ± SD a b c Strongly coiled tails, “Dag” defect, % 0.9 ± 0.3 1.4 ± 1.3 PSV, m/s Right 14.1 ± 4.5 6.3 ± 1.2 5.7 ± 1.4 a b b Proximal droplets, % 0.7 ± 0.3 1.1 ± 0.3 Left 13.8 ± 4.4 6.5 ± 1.4 5.8 ± 2 a b b Minor abnormalities, % 2.3 ± 0.81 4.2 ± 1.28 EDV, m/s Right 5.5 ± 2.3 4.2 ± 1 3.9 ± 0.9 a b b Bent or kinked midpiece, % 0.3 ± 0.14 0.4 ± 0.16 Left 5.4 ± 1.9 4.3 ± 0.9 3.7 ± 0.8 a b c Distal droplet, % 0.9 ± 0.3 1.4 ± 0.3 RI Right 0.61 ± 0.1 0.42 ± 0.08 0.33 ± 0.08 a b c Bent tail, % 0.6 ± 0.2 1.3 ± 0.4 Left 0.6 ± 0.1 0.43 ± 0.09 0.35 ± 0.08 Coiled tail, % 0.4 ± 0.1 0.6 ± 0.1 Peak systolic velocity (PSV, m/s); End diastolic velocity (EDV, m/s), resistive index (RI). Means bearing different superscripts (a and b) in a row differ Other abnormal cells, % 0.1 ± 0.07 0.5 ± 0.32 significantly (P < 0.05) Gloria et al. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2018) 9:14 Page 5 of 7 testicular artery was suggested to be a useful procedure to men [46]. On the other hand, the EDV in the stallion evaluate the perfusion of the testis because the testis re- was significantly greater and RI was significantly lower ceived the vascularization exclusively through this vessel. for the 11–15 years age group than for the 16–22 years The testicular artery is a part of the spermatic cord, where age group [25]. In a previous study, the RI had lower the great coiling of the vessels disperses the heat reducing values in prepubertal boys than in those pubertal or the working temperature of the testis [43]. Then, the postpubertal, whose RI was comparable with adults unique marginal artery courses the length of the testis, values [47], suggesting that the definitive vascularization under the corpus epididymis, to the ventral pole of the of the testis is related to the acquisition of the repro- testis, where it branches in several small arterials that run ductive function, rather to the increasing age. in dorsal and lateral direction [44]. The blood perfusion of the testis seemed effectively In our study, the RI recorded in the different locations measured by RI in the MA and in the IA. However, the of the testicular artery and its branches had similar values measurement of the PWDU parameters in the IA could in different bulls, and within the same bull, while the PSV be tedious, time consuming, and is referred to a part of and the EDV measured in the SA were variable in the the testis. On the other hand, RI in the MA could be same bull. Our approach was different from those re- considered representative of the whole testicular perfu- ported previously in other studies for stallions [25] and sion. The relevance of RI in indirectly measuring the tes- dogs [23], in which the repeated measures of the pulse ticular function was supported by the evidence that a wave Doppler parameters performed in the same vessel significant increase of this parameter in the MA was re- were averaged, and in turn the repeatability was not corded in stallions whose the testicular dysfunction was tested. The PSV and EDV variability in the SA could be induced pharmacologically [38]. The fresh ejaculated the result of the convoluted course of the vessel in the tes- semen characteristics of all bulls included in this study ticular vascular cone. It is likely that the inability to follow were similar to those recorded previously in normal the vessel with a reliable angle correction, such as the lack ejaculates from bulls of the same breed [28, 48], and of a sufficient straight part to perform a clear measure- within the normal range previously proposed in dairy ment, led to a less accurate measurement of the parameter cattle [49]. The lack of a significant variability between [20, 21]. As confirmed in our results, the EDV is known to repeated semen collections in the same animal suggested be variable between measurements [45]. On the other that the semen characteristics were relatively stable over hand, the RI appeared a more stable parameter for the the study duration, and thus representative of the tes- evaluation of the blood supply to the testis, because of its ticular function of the bull. Since our study considered independence from the angle of insonation [20]. only healthy bulls with seminal parameters within nor- Our data showed a progressive reduction in the mal range, the applicability of the PWDU parameter to PWDU parameters along the course of the testicular ar- verify the testicular function should be confirmed in tery and its branches. The trend found in the present bulls whose testicular function is compromised. Classic- study in the bull confirmed the data reported in stallions ally, the evaluation of the testicular function of the bull [25] and dogs [22], although the absolute recorded always includes semen analysis [49]. All diseases local- values were different. This significant lessening in all pa- ized in the testis (orchitis, hypoplasia, degeneration, rameters was not found in the dog, in which, on the hypogonadism, torsion, neoplasia) may cause a reduction contrary, the Doppler velocimetric parameters of the in the quality of semen [50, 51]. However, the evaluation testicular artery measured in the spermatic cord were of the seminal material provide information on the similar to those recorded in the marginal portion of the spermatogenesis started about 61 d before [2, 52, 53]. testicular artery [40]. In the bull, the parameters re- Consequently, the seminologic framework represents an corded in the MA were significantly higher than the inadequate instrument to measure the actual testicular values recorded in the IA. The values recorded in the IA efficiency. This aspect was corroborated by the lack of were consistent with the data reported in a previous correlation between ultrasound testicular grayscale and study on the fertile male dog [41]. A similar decrease seminal parameters recorded contextually [16, 17]. How- has been previously reported in a study in humans [21]. ever, the correlations became significant with sperm As previously reported in stallions [25] and dogs [41], characteristics recorded 2 to 4 wk after the ultrasound the bulls PWDU parameters were similar in the right evaluation in an acute testicular degenerative changes testis when compared with the left testis. Furthermore, produced by scrotal insulation [17]. in healthy bulls the age seemed not to affect the blood Among the perfusion parameters, only the RI measured perfusion of the gonads, since the values recorded in the in the MA and in IA was significantly correlated with the adult and in the young bulls were assessed to be similar. TSE, the percentage of immature sperm, the teratoid According to data collected during this current research, sperm, and the sperm with “Dag” defect, without differ- the age was not found to represent a relevant factor in ences between adult and young bulls. The correlation Gloria et al. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2018) 9:14 Page 6 of 7 between all these parameters and the RI corroborates that Availability of data and materials The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the perfusion of the testis could be related, at least par- the corresponding author on reasonable request. tially, to the efficient function of the testis in normal bulls. The TSE could be considered a non-invasive parameter to Authors’ contributions GA and CoA carried out the experiment design and trial, data interpretation estimate the testicular function in bulls in which the and manuscript writing. CoA performed the statistics. WL collected the semen is routinely collected [54]. Immature and teratoid seminal data. CA, RD and VC participated in discussion. All authors read and sperm were correlated with a defective spermatogenesis approved the final manuscript. process, even if a limited percentage of these abnormal- Ethics approval and consent to participate ities could be present in normal ejaculates from fertile The animals were carried according to the Italian legislation on animal care males [55, 56]. Although the sperm with strongly coiled (DL No. 116, 27/01/1992). The owner of the animals gave his informed consent to the procedure performed. Aliquots for semen evaluations were tail, commonly termed “Dag” defect, were hypothesized to part of the ejaculates collected for the artificial insemination routine center have a genetic origin, they are also mentioned among the activity, and no collections were performed specifically for the study. defects of the spermatogenesis/maturation of spermato- zoa, and were reported in normal ejaculates below 4% Consent for publication Not applicable. [57]. Our data are in agreement with results reported re- cently in stallions, whose RI were negatively correlated Competing interests with the total number of progressively motile and mor- The authors declare that they have no competing interests. phologically normal spermatozoa [38]. These data are in Author details contrast with those reported in a previous study carried Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio, out in dogs [23], whose contextual evaluation of blood 64100 Teramo, Italy. Provincial Breeders Federation of Trento, Via delle Bettine 40, 38121 Trento, Italy. flow and semen parameters showed significant negative correlations between RI, and sperm motility or HOST+ Received: 14 June 2017 Accepted: 28 December 2017 sperm, but not with total sperm in the ejaculate nor with abnormal sperm. In a recent study on normal and infertile References dogs, the RI was found negatively correlated to the con- 1. Chenoweth PJ, McPherson FJ. 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Effects of � Our selector tool helps you to find the most relevant journal unilateral testicular torsion on the blood flow of contralateral testis – an � We provide round the clock customer support experimental study on dogs. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2000;34:229–32. � Convenient online submission 40. de Souza MB, Da Cunha Barbosa C, Pereira BS, Monteiro CLB, Pinto JN, Linhares JC, et al. Doppler velocimetric parameters of the testicular artery in � Thorough peer review healthy dogs. Res Vet Sci. 2014;96:533–6. � Inclusion in PubMed and all major indexing services 41. de Souza MB, England GCW, Mota Filho AC, Ackermann CL, Sousa CVS, de � Maximum visibility for your research Carvalho GG, et al. Semen quality, testicular B-mode and Doppler ultrasound, and serum testosterone concentrations in dogs with established Submit your manuscript at infertility. Theriogenology. 2015;84:805–10. www.biomedcentral.com/submit
Journal
Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology – Springer Journals
Published: Feb 6, 2018