Correlation of testicular artery Doppler velocimetry with kinetics and morphologic characteristics of epididymal sperm in dogs

Abstract

Sperm quality can be affected by a reduction in testicular blood flow, which can be measured by Doppler ultrasonography. The aim of this study was to correlate the Doppler velocimetry of the testicular artery with kinetics of the epididymal spermatozoa in dogs. Twenty‐two dogs (44 testicles) were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography in five regions of the testicular artery before orchiectomy. Spermatozoa were recovered by the epididymal tail compression technique and analysed for kinetics on a computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA system). Morphology (modified Karras) and sperm membrane integrity were analysed by eosin–nigrosine staining. Data were analysed by Pearson's correlation test (p < .01). The mean total motility was 69.0% ± 17.7, progressive motility was 43.7% ± 14.7, average path velocity (VAP) was 127.0 µm/s ± 20.7, curvilinear velocity (VCL) was 221.0 µm/s ± 31.1, and sperm velocity index (SVI) was 389.9 ± 56.1. There were positive correlations between the peak systolic velocity (PSV) in the proximal supratesticular region with the SVI (r = .529), VCL (r = .555) and VAP (r = .473), and a negative correlation with the percentage of slow spermatozoa (r = −.463). The results suggest that the testicular artery blood flow velocity can positively affect the speed of spermatozoa movement. For the first time, we have correlated sperm kinetics with the Doppler evaluation of the testicular artery in dogs.

Salmon oil supplementation in dogs affects the blood flow of testicular arteries

“…The values found for the Doppler velocimetric indices of the arteries (STA, MA, and ITA) like those observed in the present study were also reported by Trautwein et al. (2020), England et al. (2017) and Carrillo et al.…”

“…(2014). This disagreement is probably related to the accuracy of the site assessed in the sperm cord, as several measurement sites can provide different results (Trautwein et al., 2020).…”

Morphological and ultrasonographic characterization of the three zones of supratesticular region of testicular artery in Assaf rams

“…Doppler is widely used in human medicine to evaluate testicular artery blood flow and pathological conditions, which are associated with blood flow alternation 6 . Recently, it has been used for assessment of testicular blood flow in domestic species as camels 7 , stallions 8 , bulls 9 , rams 10 , dogs 11 and goats 12 . The abovementioned clarity of testicular artery is not used in most studies during characterizing the arterial regions, and it is believed that absence of anatomical description consistency and recent improvements in ultrasound equipment quality may clarify conflicting results detected between studies; specially regional differences in testicular artery hemodynamic parameters 13 .…”

Ageing affects plasma steroid concentrations and testicular volume, echotexture and haemodynamics in rams

“…Recently, pulsed‐wave Doppler analysis is used to check the testicular haemodynamics and reproductive efficiency in males. Spectral Doppler indices, resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the testicular artery had close associations with spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in men (Abittan et al, 2018) and dogs (Trautwein et al, 2020).…”