Exogenous L-carnitine Administration Ameliorates the Adverse Effects of Heat Stress on Testicular Hemodynamics, Echotexture, and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rams

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) diminishes the testicular antioxidant defense systems, which adversely affect the testicular blood perfusion. Improving the testicular hemodynamics during HS conditions is of a great impact on the whole reproductive performance in rams. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of L-carnitine (LC) on the testicular blood flow and echotextures and also on the total antioxidants (TAC) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in the serum during HS conditions in rams. Testicular blood flow was evaluated through scanning of the supra-testicular artery (STA) spectral patterns through pulsed Doppler ultrasonography [peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), time average maximum velocity (TAMAX), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI)], while the echotexture assessment of testicular parenchyma was performed by a computerized software program. Moreover, TAC and NO concentrations were assayed colorimetrically using the spectrophotometer. There were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in values of PSV at 48 and 168 h (23.45 ± 0.39 and 23.37 ± 1.41 cm/s, respectively), and TAMAX at 1, 48, and 168 h (17.65 ± 0.95, 17.5 ± 0.13, and 16.9 ± 1.05 cm/s, respectively) after LC administration compared to just before administration (31.92 ± 1.13 and 21.58 ± 0.92 cm/s, respectively). Values of RI and PI of the examined STA significantly decreased, especially at 1 h for RI (0.45 ± 0.02) and 1 and 48 h for PI (0.66 ± 0.06 and 0.65 ± 0.05, respectively) after LC treatment to 0 h (0.55 ± 0.03 and 0.84 ± 0.06, respectively). The EDV values did not show any significant (P < 0.05) changes in all the experimental time points. There were significant (P < 0.05) increases in the values of pixel intensity of the testicular parenchyma, especially at 1 and 168 h (78.71 ± 2.50 and 88.56 ± 4.10, respectively) after LC administration, compared to just before administration (69.40 ± 4.75). Serum NO levels tend to increase after LC administration (P = 0.07) concerning just before administration. While TAC values showed significant gradual increase and reached the highest values at 168 h (2.75 ± 0.58 mM/l) after LC administration, compared to 0 h (1.12 ± 0.05 mM/l). In conclusion, exogenous LC administration ameliorates testicular hemodynamic disruptions, as measured by spectral Doppler ultrasonography, via augmentation of the rams' total antioxidant capacity under HS conditions.

Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation enhances testicular volume and hemodynamics, reproductive hormones, sperm quality, and seminal antioxidant capacity in goat bucks under summer hot humid conditions

“…Therefore, higher TBF explains the lower TE values, whereas, the higher sperm cell concentration in the last three weeks of the experiment may interpret the elevated TE values. These outcomes support the concept that TE is affected by testicular dynamics either in blood flow or spermatogenesis and is useful as an indicator in the breeding soundness evaluation of male animals (El-Sherbiny et al 2022e ).…”

“…Environmental heat stress deteriorates animal productivity and fertility potential (El-Sherbiny et al 2022b ). Since oxidative stress is the main pathway through which HS exerts its destructive impacts on male reproductive functions, numerous studies have reported that dietary supplementation of antioxidants could ameliorate HS-induced male infertility (Elokil et al 2019 ; Sharideh et al 2020 ; El-Sherbiny et al 2022c ; Fadl et al 2022c ). Mitochondria is the site where free radicals are extensively generated and induce an OS cascade.…”

Effect of xylazine sedation on testicular blood flow, testicular echotexture, and circulating hormones in Shiba goats

“…Ultrasonography of the reproductive system, especially scrotal ultrasonography is very important to monitor the breeding potentials and diagnose various testicular affections. Recent advances in Doppler applications have enabled researchers and veterinarians to properly assess the structural and functional aspects of the testis (Araujo and Ginther 2009;Samir et al 2021;El-Sherbiny et al 2022a, 2022b. Doppler ultrasonography is a good diagnostic method that provides both anatomical and velocimetric information on blood perfusion to the testis.…”

Single melatonin injection enhances the testicular artery hemodynamic, reproductive hormones, and semen parameters in German shepherd dogs

“…This data is significant in improving male dog productivity and reproductive pattern [52]. The improvement of testicular blood flow by the melatonin injection led to a mark in both Doppler indices parameters of the distal supra testicular arteries (PI and RI), which have a strong negative correlation with blood velocities parameters (PSV and EDV), testicular volume and intra-testicular colored areas [53][54][55]. The marked linear decline in both two Doppler indices leads to a substantial decrease in the blood flow resistance pattern and, therefore, an elevation of the testicular blood supply with an increase in sufficient nutrients and oxygen within both testes [56][57][58][59][60].…”