Abstract
Simple SummaryCanine andrology has become an important area within veterinary practice. In this field, the prostate plays a crucial role; it can be affected by several illnesses, strongly influencing male fertility. The diagnosis of such diseases relies on different procedures; among them, following the example of human medicine, the study of serum biomarkers has led to the use of Canine Prostatic Specific Esterase (CPSE) as a first-line tool. The CPSE is influenced neither by circadian rhythms nor by transrectal palpation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ejaculation on CPSE, both in healthy animals and in subjects with prostatic disorders. Soon after ejaculation, CPSE concentrations in serum are significantly higher than basal ones; they then return to their original concentrations in 24 h. At all times, CPSE is higher in affected dogs than in normal subjects; however, some healthy patients could be misdiagnosed with prostatic disorders based on the CPSE concentrations measured soon after ejaculation. Thus, in accordance with recent reports on canine prostate ultrasonography, a sexual rest of minimum 24 h should be applied before a thorough examination of the male genital tract.Canine prostatic diseases are usually asymptomatic in their onset and often identified in advanced stages. Canine prostatic specific esterase (CPSE) represents an early serum marker for prostatic diseases, also in asymptomatic dogs. The present study aimed to identify the effects of ejaculation on serum CPSE. Twenty adult intact male dogs were enrolled. Blood samples were collected to measure CPSE concentrations before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 24 h post (T2) ejaculation. Data were compared within and between groups by ANOVA (p < 0.05). Dogs were divided in two equal groups: A (healthy: CPSE ≤ 52.3 ng/mL at T0) and B (suspected for prostatic disorders: CPSE > 52.3 ng/mL or diagnosed with symptoms of prostatic diseases: CPSE > 90 ng/mL). CPSE was shown to be statistically higher in group B than A at any time point. In both groups, CPSE showed a significant increase at T1, and no significant differences between T0 and T2. This study demonstrates a definite effect of ejaculation on CPSE concentration. Twenty-four hours post-ejaculation, CPSE returns to basal values. Such physiological effects of ejaculation should be considered when planning analyses of CPSE concentrations, i.e., by respecting a proper sexual rest.
Highlights
Canine prostatic diseases, mainly represented by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic cysts, prostatitis, and neoplasias, are usually asymptomatic at their onset, and are often identified in advanced stages, in studs as well as in pets [1]
The present study demonstrated that 24 h after ejaculation, increased serum Canine prostatic specific esterase (CPSE) came back to basal values in 90% of tested animals, following a trend similar to that reported for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in human medicine [20,21,27,29]
The present study showed that the higher basal concentrations of CPSE are, the higher the post-ejaculatory peak; they are both more pronounced in subjects affected by prostatic disorders
Summary
Mainly represented by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic cysts, prostatitis, and neoplasias, are usually asymptomatic at their onset, and are often identified in advanced stages, in studs as well as in pets [1]. Animals 2020, 10, 381 pathologies together with earlier diagnoses. This could be achieved by blood samples, based on the availability of serum biomarkers [2,3]. In the search for earlier diagnostic timings and new therapeutic strategies, several researchers have evaluated canine serum biomarkers, to biomarkers used in humans on a routine basis [2,3,4,5,6]. Prostatic Specific Esterase (CPSE) are the three most common biomarkers used to evaluate the male canine reproductive tract [7]. Alkaline phosphatase and carnitine are not specific for the prostate gland, as they can be brought back to disorders of the epididymis and ductal network [7]
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