Clinical Use of Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Oligozoospermic and Azoospermic Dogs

Abstract

Clinical investigation of canine testicular function is complicated by the difficulty in the evaluation of seminiferous tubules. Until recently, testicular biopsy was the only diagnostic option for dogs with persistent oligo/azoospermia. In human andrology, testicular fine needle aspiration (TFNA) is currently considered a useful method in the evaluation of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, and has long replaced classical biopsy to evaluate spermatogenesis. In order to verify its diagnostic efficacy for the clinical approach to canine oligo- or azoospermia, TFNA was performed in seven adult (two oligozoospermic and five azoospermic) dogs. After sedation, a fine (21-23 gauge) butterfly needle connected to a 50-ml syringe was inserted into each testicle; strong suction was applied and the aspirated fluid squirted on a glass slide, smeared out, air-dried and stained with a modified May-Grunwald-Giemsa. Under light microscopy, Sertoli cells (all those found in each investigated field) and spermatogenic cells (n = 100) were counted on each smear in order to differentiate spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, early spermatids, late spermatids and spermatozoa, and calculate their relative percentages. Cytological analysis showed the following testicular pictures: normal spermatogenesis (compatible with obstruction of the seminal ducts), hypospermatogenesis, maturative disturbances and Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Two dogs with an obstructive lesion were treated with corticosteroids; one of them recovered and sired two litters of puppies.

Testicular cytology by fine needle aspiration in domestic cats

“…Testicular FNA is not only a valuable and effective tool for male reproductive evaluation, but also for the choice of a proper therapy. Based on the findings of testicular FNA, it was possible to treat and recover normal ejaculation of an azoospermic dog [9].…”

“…This index estimates the spermatogenesis potential. Also, the percentage of spermatozoa per one hundred germ cells (Spermatic index-SI) in testicular FNA smears has been related to the ultimate spermatozoa production [9,10,20].…”

Ultrasound guided testicular fine needle aspiration in buck (Capra hircus)—An animal model

“…Swelling was not observed in testes after uni-direction suction, for this data were excluded. But, more swelling with pain was present after multi-direction TFNA suction, which disappeared within 2-4 d. Following FNA in 7 dogs, there was no pain or local trauma [12]. The extent of testicular damage by multiple punctures and negative pressure applied during aspiration is still unknown [45,46].…”

“…In addition, TFNA has recognized widely in Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in assisted reproduction technique (ART) [10]. But, there are few reports of TFNA in domestic animals, such as, in dog [11] and [12], bull [13], stallion [14] and alpacas [15] rather than in man. Studies on TFNA in buck are very scanty.…”

Diagnostic Value of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Testicular Disorders of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus): A Case Report

“…Although several methods have been described, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is currently the simplest and least-invasive technique for obtaining testicular samples (e.g., Gouletsou et al 2012). Developed by Posner and Cohn (1904) as a diagnostic tool in human infertility, FNAC has been applied in veterinary medicine only recently (e.g., Romagnoli et al 2009).…”