Serum testosterone, sperm quality, cytological, physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of the prostatic fraction of dogs with prostatomegaly

Abstract

Prostatomegaly is a common finding in older non-neutered dogs. This study compared the serum testosterone, sperm quality and characteristics of the prostatic fraction between healthy dogs and dogs with prostatomegaly. Blood samples of ten dogs (five dogs from each group) were taken for serum testosterone measurement. Sperm motility, vigour, concentration, viability, membrane functionality and morphology were analysed in sperm-rich fraction. Osmolality, pH, cell types, and albumin, haemoglobin, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and chloride were analysed in prostatic fraction. Dogs with prostatomegaly have the lowest sperm motility, vigour, concentration and functional membrane. Dogs with prostatomegaly have the highest glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. Glucose was the only constituent positively correlated with serum testosterone and prostate volume. It can be concluded that dogs with prostatomegaly have poorer sperm quality, and glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol in prostatic fraction can be used as prostatomegaly biomarkers.

Concentrations of minerals in the canine prostatic fluid

“…Measured magnesium concentrations were most consistent with the values reported by Krakowski et al, () and Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, () who also used photometry for analysis. Our results were, however, significantly higher (1.8 ± 0.6 mmol/L) compared to those revealing from the titration method (Bartlett, ; 0.2 mmol/L) and flame photometry (Quinn et al, ; 0.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L; Wales & White, :0.17 ± 0.09 mmol/L).…”

“…In our study, total calcium was analysed using the most common analysis method, flame photometry. Despite the differences in methodology with flame photometry (Quinn et al, ; Wales & White, , our study), photometry (Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, ; Krakowski et al, ) or titration (Bartlett, ) being used, the reported concentrations are relatively comparable to our results (0.2 ± 0.1 mmol/L, flame photometry) ranging between 0.24 and 0.49 mmol/L (Bartlett, ; Krakowski et al, ; Wales & White, ). Only two studies reported significantly higher concentrations, namely Quinn et al, () (1.1 ± 0.16 mmol/l) and Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, () (0.85 ± 0.15 mmol/L).…”

“…Despite the differences in methodology with flame photometry (Quinn et al, ; Wales & White, , our study), photometry (Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, ; Krakowski et al, ) or titration (Bartlett, ) being used, the reported concentrations are relatively comparable to our results (0.2 ± 0.1 mmol/L, flame photometry) ranging between 0.24 and 0.49 mmol/L (Bartlett, ; Krakowski et al, ; Wales & White, ). Only two studies reported significantly higher concentrations, namely Quinn et al, () (1.1 ± 0.16 mmol/l) and Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, () (0.85 ± 0.15 mmol/L). Although also flame photometry was used in both studies (Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, ; Quinn et al, ), centrifugation speed (4,000 and 1840 g vs. 700 g in our study) and times (30 and 20 min vs. 5 min in our study) varied significantly indicating that membrane damage and hence leakage of intracellular calcium might be a reason for increased analysed concentrations (Rijsselaere, Soom, Maes, & Kruia, ).…”

“…Only two studies reported significantly higher concentrations, namely Quinn et al, () (1.1 ± 0.16 mmol/l) and Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, () (0.85 ± 0.15 mmol/L). Although also flame photometry was used in both studies (Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, ; Quinn et al, ), centrifugation speed (4,000 and 1840 g vs. 700 g in our study) and times (30 and 20 min vs. 5 min in our study) varied significantly indicating that membrane damage and hence leakage of intracellular calcium might be a reason for increased analysed concentrations (Rijsselaere, Soom, Maes, & Kruia, ). Additionally, a protease inhibitor had been added prior to collection to the seminal plasma in one study (Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, ) further explaining possible differences.…”

“…Comparison of calcium concentrations reported in the literature was complicated, not only due to the use of the different ejaculate fractions (James et al, ; Schäfer‐Somi et al, ; De Souza et al, ) and variation in centrifugation speed and time, but also due to the fact that total and ionized calcium had been previously described and some studies do not even mention if total or ionized calcium was measured (Aquino‐Cortez, Pinheiro, Silva, et al, ; Bartlett, ; Krakowski et al, ; Quinn et al, ; Wales & White, ). In our study, total calcium was analysed using the most common analysis method, flame photometry.…”