Infrared thermography as a noninvasive method to assess scrotal insulation on sperm production in beef bulls

Abstract

This study evaluated the thermoregulation and spermatogenic changes by scrotal temperature gradient using infrared thermography in testicular compromised bulls. Bulls were insulated (n = 6) for 72 hr and control animals (n = 3) remained without insulation during all the experimental period. Seminal evaluation was performed prior, at insult removal and once per week for 13 consecutive weeks. Mean temperature gradient in insulated animals was lower at the time of insulation removal compared to the week prior and after the insult (p < .05). Two weeks after insult, sperm motility was lower in insulated compared to control animals (p < .01) and spermatozoa total defects were higher in insulated compared to control animals (p < .05). Two and seven weeks after insult, the major defects were higher in insulated compared to control animals (p < .05). Scrotal temperature gradient showed a positive correlation with sperm mass motion (p < .01) and a negative correlation with ocular globe temperature (p < .01) in insulated animals. The infrared thermography can be used to evaluate ocular globe temperature in bulls; however, it is only effective to detect changes in scrotal temperature gradient at the insult removal.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of transdermal flunixin for pain mitigation following castration in goats

“…Other studies have recorded lower scrotal temperatures for castrated animals in comparison to control animals when scrotal temperatures are measured within the first 120 min following surgery, possibly reflecting the disruption of blood supply indicating that higher scrotal temperatures in castrated animals is likely inflammatory related ( Meléndez et al, 2017 ). Infrared thermography has been shown to detect inflammatory processes and heat stress in testicular studies of cattle and sheep ( Cruz Júnior et al, 2015 ; Marti et al, 2017 ; Menegassi et al, 2018 ). These results indicate that a single dose of TD FM is not adequate to reduce castration-associated inflammation as measured by thermography.…”

Scientific findings related to changes in vascular microcirculation using infrared thermography in the river buffalo

“…The importance of this effect is reflected directly in sperm viability because high testicular temperatures increase the probability of adverse effects on spermatogenesis that can alter motility, viability, and morphology (Kastelic et al 2018). In this regard, IRT has proven to be an efficient tool for identifying testicular damage caused by heat stress or acute inflammatory processes, both of which may be manifested in modifications of scrotal temperature (Menegassi et al 2018).…”

“…However, the use of the non-invasive technology called infrared thermography (IRT) is increasing because this technique has the capacity to take precise measurements of the surface temperatures of certain corporal regions from a distance of 30 cm or more. IRT thus facilitates J Anim Behav Biometeorol (2020) 8:288-297 the identification of thermal alterations characterized by an increase or decrease of skin surface temperatures (Chacur et al 2016;Sevegnani et al 2016;Menegassi et al 2018;Casas-Alvarado et al 2020;Bertoni et al 2020;Mota-Rojas et al 2020a;Guerrero-Legarreta et al 2020).…”

Infrared thermography and Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate the effects of scrotal insulation on testicular blood flow dynamics in bulls

“…Thermographic imaging may provide a qualitative and quantitative map of temperature on the testicular surface and may be related to blood flow (Ammer, 2008); however, recent experiments (Menegassi et al, 2016) have shown that this test has a low correlation with spermatic morphology. More studies are needed to improve the methods of interpretation of scrotal temperature patterns and to confirm the correlation with semen quality and fertility characteristics in bulls (Menegassi et al, 2017).…”