Ultrasonographic characteristics of accessory sex glands and spectral Doppler indices of the internal iliac arteries in peri- and post-pubertal Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare ultrasonographic characteristics of accessory sex glands and spectral Doppler indices of the internal iliac arteries in peri- and post-pubertal rams raised in a subtropical climate. Forty-five Dorper rams were examined (24 rams aged 8-11 months and 21 rams aged 12-24 months). Digital images of all accessory sex glands were subjected to morphometric and echotextural analyses, the latter using commercially available image analytical software Image ProPlus. Physical and morphological characteristics of semen and serum concentrations of testosterone were also determined. The dimensions of the prostate gland (12.9±1.2 compared with 14.2±2.7mm; mean±standard deviation) and bulbourethral glands (13.7±1.3 compared with 14.7±1.8mm) were greater (P=0.04) in sexually mature compared with peri-pubertal rams. Pixel intensity of vesicular (181.5±20.8 compared with 164.8±26.8, P=0.02) and bulbourethral gland parenchyma (166.9±16.9 compared with 141.8±29.1, P=0.001) was greater in peri-pubertal compared with sexually mature rams. Semen could be collected by ejaculation into the artificial vagina from 38% (8/21) of post-pubertal rams and 21% (5/24) of peri-pubertal animals (P=0.03). Semen volume was positively correlated with peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) in the internal iliac arteries (r=0.79, P=0.001 and r=0.67, P=0.01, respectively), while spermatic vigor and progressive motility were inversely related to circulating concentrations of testosterone (r=-0.69, P=0.009 and r=-0.61, P=0.03, respectively). In summary, the attainment of sexual maturity in the rams of the present study was associated with an enlargement of the prostate and bulbourethral glands, and with the shift in echotextural attributes of vesicular and bulbourethral glands. Circulating testosterone concentrations and Doppler blood flow indices of the ram's internal iliac arteries are significant predictors of sperm progressive motility, vigor and the amount of ejaculate.

Changes in testicular size, echotexture, and arterial blood flow associated with the attainment of puberty in Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate

“…Semen characteristics determined in the present Dorper rams have previously been reported by Camela et al. (). All ejaculates appeared normal (according to the CBRA, ) and the only semen characteristic that differed between the two groups of rams was the percentage of sperm exhibiting tail coiling after the hypoosmotic swelling test, which was significantly greater in sexually mature Dorper rams compared with their peripubertal counterparts (51.6 ± 11.9% and 38.4 ± 3.5% respectively).…”

“…The results of semen evaluation in the rams of the present study have previously been published (Camela et al., ). In brief, semen was collected into a pre‐warmed (37°C) artificial vagina and the following semen characteristics were recorded immediately after collection (according to the Brazilian College of Animal Reproduction; CBRA, ): (a) ejaculate volume; (b) sperm mass motility (scale from zero: no movement to 5: strong wave motion) determined microscopically at 100× image magnification in a 10‐μl droplet of semen placed on the pre‐heated (37°C) glass slide; (c) sperm progressive motility (%) evaluated under the microscope after diluting 10 μl of semen in 0.9% saline solution (1:400) at 100× or 400× magnification; (d) spermatic vigor, or the intensity of cell movement, ranging from zero (no movement) to 5 (maximum vigor); (e) sperm concentration calculated using a Neubauer chamber at 400× image magnification; (f) percentage of live and dead sperm (vitality test); and (g) sperm morphology evaluated in smears stained with eosin or eosin‐nigrosin (200 cells per slide visualized by immersion light microscopy at 1,000× magnification).…”

“…Studies of blood flow in the arteries supplying male reproductive organs in small ruminants are scarce (Camela et al., ; Samir et al., ; Zelli et al., ) even though in veterinary practice Doppler ultrasonography of the testicular artery can be used to ascertain normal testicular function and diagnose certain pathological conditions (e.g., spermatic cord traction, testicular infarction, varicocele or testicular/epididymal cancer) (dogs: Zelli et al., ; stallions: Pozor, , ; Pozor & McDonnell, ). Doppler ultrasonographic indices of the testicular arteries taken in the convoluted aspect of the vessels (i.e., spermatic cord) in the present Dorper rams have revealed a monophasic blood flow pattern of low resistance, with long, recurrent systolic peaks, and high diastolic flow velocity (Figure b).…”

“…There were no significant differences between peri‐ and postpubertal rams for any of the velocimetric indices in this study (Table ), and they were similar to those reported for sexually mature dogs (Carillo et al., ; Souza et al., ; Zelli et al., ), cats (Brito et al., ) and stallions (Pozor & McDonnell, ). Postnatal development of testicular vasculature in rams has been poorly studied (Camela et al., ). In humans, the gross vascular arrangement of the testis at birth is already similar to that seen in the adult human testis, except that the convolution of the testicular arteries is somewhat less pronounced in prepubescent individuals than in young adults (Suoranta, ).…”

Morfologi Kelenjar Aksesori Kelamin Jantan pada Trenggiling (Manis javanica) (MORPHOLOGY OF THE MALE SEX ACCESSORY GLANDS OF THE PANGOLIN (MANIS JAVANICA))

“…Kelenjar aksesori kelamin jantan pada trenggiling terdiri atas glandula vesicularis, prostat dan glandula bulbourethralis yang memainkan peranan penting dalam proses reproduksi. Kelenjar aksesori pada hewan mammalia jantan meliputi ampulla, glandula vesicularis, prostat dan glandula bulbourethralis yang terletak di rongga pelvis (Colville dan assert, 2002;Setchell dan Breed, 2006;Beguelini et al, 2016;Camela et al, 2017). Tidak semua spesies memiliki keempat kelenjar tersebut, demikian pula dengan morfologi kelenjar yang juga berbeda.…”