Abstract
Simple SummaryThis study examined the blood flow parameters of the prostate artery before dog ejaculation assessed by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound (PwD) changes. The main objective of this study was to characterize the vascular parameters of the prostatic artery in beagle dogs and to explore the potential use of Doppler ultrasonography as a complementary method in dog stud selection. These findings report differences between blood flow parameters in cranial and caudal locations of the prostatic artery in comparison to subcapsular and parenchymal locations. There was a high positive correlation of peak systolic velocity with total volume and sperm concentration. In conclusion, estimation of the PwD parameters of the cranial prostatic artery may be useful in the breeding evaluation of dogs.Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography (PwD) is a method used to rapidly and noninvasively assess blood flow dynamics of the canine prostate. Modifications in gland vascularization can affect seminal plasma production and consequently sperm quality. The aim of this study was to determine the normal blood flow parameters of the prostate artery in beagle dogs and to analyze the correlations between vascular flow and semen quality characteristics. PwD was performed on five beagle dogs (5–6 years) measuring vascular features in four different locations of the prostatic artery (cranial, subcapsular, parenchymal and caudal); the measured features were peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). Ejaculates were obtained using digital manipulation and semen quality was evaluated by determining macroscopic (total volume, sperm-rich fraction volume, color and pH) and microscopic (sperm motility, morphology, viability and acrosome integrity) characteristics. The values of PSV, PI and RI in cranial and caudal prostatic arteries were significantly higher than in subcapsular and parenchymal arteries (p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation of PSV value in the cranial region of the prostatic artery with total ejaculate volume (p < 0.01, r = 0.612) and sperm concentration (p < 0.01, r = 0.587) was determined. PI index was negatively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.01, r = −0.709). In conclusion, the results suggest that the prostatic artery blood flow parameters can affect macroscopic semen quality characteristics in healthy dogs.
Highlights
Ultrasound is an imaging diagnostic tool used by many veterinarians in daily small-animal practice, including in reproductive clinics [1,2]
The aim of this study was to characterize the normal vascularization of the prostate in beagle dogs by measuring the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI)
PI index was negatively correlated with sperm concentration in the same location (p < 0.01, r = −0.709)
Summary
Ultrasound is an imaging diagnostic tool used by many veterinarians in daily small-animal practice, including in reproductive clinics [1,2]. Stud-dog selection includes an ultrasonographic evaluation of the reproductive tract, based on the testicles and prostate. The prostate is the only accessory gland in the dog and its main function is to produce seminal plasma; . Seminal plasma is composed of potassium and sodium chlorides, nitrogenous substances, citric acid, fructose, ascorbic acid, inositol, phosphates, lactic acid and components of choline [4,5,6]. These substances are an energy source of spermatozoa, protect cell integrity by pH and osmotic pressure control and avoid DNA damage [7]. Seminal plasma compounds are important for sperm viability, plasma-membrane integrity and sperm motility preservation; modifications can produce changes in seminal quality and ejaculate longevity [8]
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