Ultrasonography of accessory sex glands in the stallion.

The researchers conducted an ultrasonographic study of the accessory sex glands in stallions to evaluate their size and characteristics. The study also affirmed that transrectal ultrasonographic imaging accurately represents the anatomical relationships and physical dimensions of these glands.

Methodology

• The research study involved a transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the accessory sex glands in 10 stallions.
• The seminal vesicles, ampullae, bulbourethral glands, prostate lobes, prostatic isthmus, seminal colliculus, masculine uterus, and deferent ducts were identified and characterized during this examination.
• To validate the results, five of the stallions were later euthanized to obtain gross dissections of the isolated accessory sex glands. These post-mortem examinations were compared with the initial transrectal ultrasonograms.
• The researchers also compared transrectal ultrasound results against water bath ultrasonograms, another common method of investigation in veterinary pathology.

Findings

• The seminal vesicles were found to have average dimensions of 26.4 mm in width and 9.2 mm in height.
• Ampullae were on average 16.3 mm in width and 12.9 mm in height.
• Bulbourethral glands measured approximately 19.7 mm in width and 32.4 mm in length.
• The prostate lobes exceeded 34 mm in width and were 23.5 mm in height on average. The prostatic isthmus had an average height of 6.0 mm.
• The ultrasound findings were anatomically and acoustically similar to the results obtained from water bath ultrasonograms.
• The ultrasonographic examination accurately represented the anatomical relationships, physical dimensions, and acoustic characteristics of the accessory sex glands in stallions.

Conclusions

• The research affirmed the accuracy of transrectal ultrasonography in diagnosing and studying the accessory sex glands in stallions.
• This indicates that the procedure can be a reliable and non-invasive method for the anatomical and physiological examination of these structures in live animals. The method can be employed in regular check-ups, breeding evaluations, and diagnostics.