Pulse Doppler ultrasound as a tool for the diagnosis of chronic testicular dysfunction in stallions.
Abstract: Testicular function is particularly susceptible to vascular insult, resulting in a negative impact on sperm production and quality of the ejaculate. A prompt diagnosis of testicular dysfunction enables implementation of appropriate treatment, hence improving fertility forecasts for stallions. The present research aims to: (1) assess if Doppler ultrasonography is a good tool to diagnose stallions with testicular dysfunction; (2) to study the relationship between Doppler parameters of the testicular artery and those of sperm quality assessed by flow cytometry and (3) to establish cut off values to differentiate fertile stallions from those with pathologies causing testicular dysfunction. A total of 10 stallions (n: 7 healthy stallions and n: 3 sub-fertile stallions) were used in this study. Two ejaculates per stallion were collected and preserved at 5°C in a commercial extender. The semen was evaluated at T0, T24 and T48h by flow cytometry. Integrity and viability of sperm (YoPro®-1/EthD-1), mitochondrial activity (MitoTracker® Deep Red FM) and the DNA fragmentation index (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay) were assessed. Doppler parameters were measured at three different locations on the testicular artery (Supratesticular artery (SA); Capsular artery (CA) and Intratesticular artery (IA)). The Doppler parameters calculated were: Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI), Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), End Diastolic Velocity (EDV), Time Average Maximum Velocity (TAMV), Total Arterial Blood Flow (TABF) and TABF rate. The capsular artery was the most reliable location to carry out spectral Doppler assessment, since blood flow parameters of this artery were most closely correlated with sperm quality parameters. Significant differences in all the Doppler parameters studied were observed between fertile and subfertile stallions (p ≤ 0.05). The principal components analysis assay determined that fertile stallions are characterized by high EDV, TAMV, TABF and TABF rate values (high vascular perfusion). In contrast, subfertile stallions tend to present high values of PI and RI (high vascular resistance). The ROC curves revealed that the best Doppler parameters to predict sperm quality in stallions were: Doppler velocities (PSV, EDV and TAMV), the diameter of the capsular artery and TABF parameters (tissue perfusion parameters). Cut off values were established using a Youden´s Index to identify fertile stallions from stallions with testicular dysfunction. Spectral Doppler ultrasound is a good predictive tool for sperm quality since correlations were determined among Doppler parameters and markers of sperm quality. Doppler ultrasonography could be a valuable diagnostic tool for use by clinical practitioners for the diagnosis of stallions with testicular dysfunction and could be a viable alternative to invasive procedures traditionally used for diagnosis of sub-fertility disorders.
Publication Date: 2017-05-30 PubMed ID: 28558006PubMed Central: PMC5448730DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175878Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article aims to determine the potential usefulness of Doppler ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for testicular dysfunction in stallions, which can significantly impact sperm production and the quality of ejaculate.
Objectives of the Research
- The study set out with three primary goals: Firstly, to assess the effectiveness of Doppler ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for identifying testicular dysfunction in stallions.
- Secondly, the researchers aimed to investigate any correlation between the parameters of Doppler of the testicular artery and sperm quality as examined through flow cytometry.
- Lastly, the study sought to establish distinct cut-off values to distinguish fertile stallions from those affected by testicular dysfunction.
Methodology
- The study involved ten stallions, seven of which were healthy and three of which were identified as sub-fertile. The stallions were evaluated initially and twice more, 24 hours and 48 hours later.
- The semen was evaluated by studying the integrity and viability of sperm, mitochondrial activity, and the DNA fragmentation index.
- Doppler parameters from three different locations on the testicular artery were examined: The Supratesticular artery (SA), Capsular artery (CA), and Intratesticular artery (IA).
- The researchers studied parameters such as Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI), Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), End Diastolic Velocity (EDV), Time Average Maximum Velocity (TAMV), Total Arterial Blood Flow (TABF) and TABF rate.
Findings and Conclusions
- Results showed that fertile stallions have high EDV, TAMV, TABF and TABF rate values, indicating a high level of vascular perfusion. Conversely, subfertile stallions tend to display high values of PI and RI, showing high vascular resistance.
- The best Doppler parameters for predicting sperm quality were identified as Doppler velocities (PSV, EDV, and TAMV), the diameter of the capsular artery and TABF parameters.
- Cut-off values were established using a Youden’s Index to differentiate healthy stallions from those with testicular dysfunction.
- Correlations were established between Doppler parameters and markers of sperm quality; indicating the potential benefits of Doppler ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for stallion testicular dysfunction.
Implications
- This research suggests that Doppler ultrasonography could be a beneficial tool for clinicians in diagnosing stallions with testicular dysfunction.
- Its non-invasive nature presents a viable alternative to more intrusive traditional diagnostic methods for sub-fertility disorders.
Cite This Article
APA
Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Anel-Lopez L, Martín-Muñoz P, Álvarez M, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Anel L, Rodríguez-Medina P, Peña FJ, Ortega Ferrusola C.
(2017).
Pulse Doppler ultrasound as a tool for the diagnosis of chronic testicular dysfunction in stallions.
PLoS One, 12(5), e0175878.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175878 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain.
- Department of Zootechnical Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Male
- Testis / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography, Doppler / methods
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
References
This article includes 48 references
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Venianaki AP, Barbagianni MS, Fthenakis GC, Galatos AD, Gouletsou PG. Doppler Examination of the Testicular Artery of Beagle-Breed Dogs from Birth to Puberty.. Tomography 2023 Jul 23;9(4):1408-1422.
- Montes-Garrido R, Riesco MF, Anel-Lopez L, Neila-Montero M, Palacin-Martinez C, Boixo JC, de Paz P, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Hassan MAA, Anel L, Alvarez M. Application of ultrasound technique to evaluate the testicular function and its correlation to the sperm quality after different collection frequency in rams.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1035036.
- Samir H, ElSayed MI, Radwan F, Hedia M, Hendawy H, Hendawy AO, Elbadawy M, Watanabe G. An updated insight on testicular hemodynamics: Environmental, physiological, and technical perspectives in farm and companion animals.. Vet Res Commun 2023 Jun;47(2):323-345.
- Salama A, Abdelnaby EA, Emam IA, Fathi M. Single melatonin injection enhances the testicular artery hemodynamic, reproductive hormones, and semen parameters in German shepherd dogs.. BMC Vet Res 2022 Nov 14;18(1):403.
- Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gómez-Arrones V, Martín-Cano FE, Gil MC, Peña FJ, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Da Silva-Álvarez E. Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches.. Reprod Domest Anim 2022 Oct;57 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):34-44.
- Hassan MAA, Sayed RKA, Abdelsabour-Khalaf M, Abd-Elhafez EA, Anel-Lopez L, Riesco MF, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Montes-Garrido R, Neila-Montero M, Anel L, Alvarez M. Morphological and ultrasonographic characterization of the three zones of supratesticular region of testicular artery in Assaf rams.. Sci Rep 2022 May 18;12(1):8334.
- Ugur MR, Guerreiro DD, Moura AA, Memili E. Identification of biomarkers for bull fertility using functional genomics.. Anim Reprod 2022;19(1):e20220004.
- Velasco A, Ruiz S. New Approaches to Assess Fertility in Domestic Animals: Relationship between Arterial Blood Flow to the Testicles and Seminal Quality.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 23;11(1).
- Beltrame RT, Morais Junior NN, Careta JVP, Ribeiro AP, Lima TAD, da Costa RLD, Quirino CR. Uterine hemodynamics during a short-term progesterone synchronization protocol in ewes.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2020 Mar;52(2):503-509.
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