Doppler indices of vascular impedance as indicators of testicular dysfunction in stallions

Pozor, M.A.; Nolin, Maggie; Roser, Janet F.; Runyon, Scott P.; Macpherson, M. L.; Kelleman, Audrey A.

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2013.10.021

Cited by 15 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The PWUD of the testicular vasculature was previously studied in several species, such as human [ 20 , 21 , 33 – 37 ], stallion [ 25 , 38 ], dog [ 22 , 23 , 39 – 41 ], and rat [ 42 ], both in normal and pathological conditions. The PWDU of the testicular artery was suggested to be a useful procedure to evaluate the perfusion of the testis because the testis received the vascularization exclusively through this vessel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, RI in the MA could be considered representative of the whole testicular perfusion. The relevance of RI in indirectly measuring the testicular function was supported by the evidence that a significant increase of this parameter in the MA was recorded in stallions whose the testicular dysfunction was induced pharmacologically [ 38 ]. The fresh ejaculated semen characteristics of all bulls included in this study were similar to those recorded previously in normal ejaculates from bulls of the same breed [ 28 , 48 ], and within the normal range previously proposed in dairy cattle [ 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pulse wave Doppler ultrasound of testicular arteries and their relationship with semen characteristics in healthy bulls

Gloria

Carluccio

Wegher

et al. 2018

J Animal Sci Biotechnol

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BackgroundSemen 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionsThe 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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pulse wave Doppler ultrasound of testicular arteries and their relationship with semen characteristics in healthy bulls

Gloria

Carluccio

Wegher

et al. 2018

J Animal Sci Biotechnol

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“…In equines, only a preliminary study shows important correlations among Doppler indices (PI and RI) and DSOa and total number of progressively motile morphologically normal sperm (TNPNS) [47]. However, the assessment of semen quality was subjective using traditional techniques such as eosin/nigrosine staining for viability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pulse Doppler ultrasound as a tool for the diagnosis of chronic testicular dysfunction in stallions

et al. 2017

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Testicular function is particularly susceptible to vascular insult, resulting in a negative impact on sperm production and quality of the ejaculate. A prompt diagnosis of testicular dysfunction enables implementation of appropriate treatment, hence improving fertility forecasts for stallions. The present research aims to: (1) assess if Doppler ultrasonography is a good tool to diagnose stallions with testicular dysfunction; (2) to study the relationship between Doppler parameters of the testicular artery and those of sperm quality assessed by flow cytometry and (3) to establish cut off values to differentiate fertile stallions from those with pathologies causing testicular dysfunction. A total of 10 stallions (n: 7 healthy stallions and n: 3 sub-fertile stallions) were used in this study. Two ejaculates per stallion were collected and preserved at 5°C in a commercial extender. The semen was evaluated at T0, T24 and T48h by flow cytometry. Integrity and viability of sperm (YoPro®-1/EthD-1), mitochondrial activity (MitoTracker® Deep Red FM) and the DNA fragmentation index (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay) were assessed. Doppler parameters were measured at three different locations on the testicular artery (Supratesticular artery (SA); Capsular artery (CA) and Intratesticular artery (IA)). The Doppler parameters calculated were: Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI), Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), End Diastolic Velocity (EDV), Time Average Maximum Velocity (TAMV), Total Arterial Blood Flow (TABF) and TABF rate. The capsular artery was the most reliable location to carry out spectral Doppler assessment, since blood flow parameters of this artery were most closely correlated with sperm quality parameters. Significant differences in all the Doppler parameters studied were observed between fertile and subfertile stallions (p ≤ 0.05). The principal components analysis assay determined that fertile stallions are characterized by high EDV, TAMV, TABF and TABF rate values (high vascular perfusion). In contrast, subfertile stallions tend to present high values of PI and RI (high vascular resistance). The ROC curves revealed that the best Doppler parameters to predict sperm quality in stallions were: Doppler velocities (PSV, EDV and TAMV), the diameter of the capsular artery and TABF parameters (tissue perfusion parameters). Cut off values were established using a Youden´s Index to identify fertile stallions from stallions with testicular dysfunction. Spectral Doppler ultrasound is a good predictive tool for sperm quality since correlations were determined among Doppler parameters and markers of sperm quality. Doppler ultrasonography could be a valuable diagnostic tool for use by clinical practitioners for the diagnosis of stallions with testicular dysfunction and could be a viable alternative to invasive procedures traditionally used for diagnosis of sub-fertility disorders.

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“…Correlations among Doppler parameters and testosterone, estradiol and FSH plasma concentrations have been reported in stallions (Pozor et al. ).…”

Section: Colour and Pulse Doppler Ultrasound In The Diagnosis Of Subfmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…In stallions, correlations were also determined among Doppler indexes (PI and RI) and total sperm number and total number of progressively motile morphologically normal sperm (TNPNS) (Pozor et al. ).…”

Section: Colour and Pulse Doppler Ultrasound In Healthy Stallionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Colour and Spectral Doppler Ultrasonography in Stallion Andrology

Ortega-Ferrusola

Gracia-Calvo

Ezquerra

et al. 2014

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Contents Doppler ultrasonography is an important tool in the andrological evaluation in humans; however, this method is not so extensively used by equine andrologists. Spectral or pulse Doppler is a useful non‐invasive method for the early diagnosis of subfertility problems in the male, especially those triggered by vascular disturbance. The identification of any disturbance in the blood flow of the testis is crucial for a correct diagnosis of various testicular and scrotal disorders but also to monitor the therapeutic outcome following treatment. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the current use of colour and spectral Doppler ultrasound in stallion andrology, and to promote the use of this technique during the soundness reproductive examination of the stallion, as this particular branch of reproductive medicine is receiving increasing interest.

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Doppler indices of vascular impedance as indicators of testicular dysfunction in stallions

Cited by 15 publications

References 5 publications

Pulse wave Doppler ultrasound of testicular arteries and their relationship with semen characteristics in healthy bulls

Pulse wave Doppler ultrasound of testicular arteries and their relationship with semen characteristics in healthy bulls

Pulse Doppler ultrasound as a tool for the diagnosis of chronic testicular dysfunction in stallions

Use of Colour and Spectral Doppler Ultrasonography in Stallion Andrology

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