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Use of thermography in the long-term evaluation of scrotal surface temperature and its impact on seminal quality in stallions.
Abstract: Scrotal surface thermography is a non-invasive method for assessing testicular thermoregulation in stallions; however, few studies have explored the application of this technique concerning the thermal physiology of equine reproductive systems. This study aimed to evaluate the consistency of testicular thermoregulation in stallions over a year using thermography to measure the scrotal surface temperature (SST). Moreover, we assessed the best region for measuring the surface body temperature compared with the SST. Ten light-breed stallions were used in the experiment. Thermographic images of the scrotal and body surfaces (neck and abdomen) were captured. Fresh, cooled and frozen-thawed semen samples were evaluated to verify the impact of thermoregulation on semen quality. Testicular thermoregulation was maintained throughout the year in stallions amidst changes in the external temperature, as evidenced by the weak correlation between the SST and ambient temperature. A lower correlation was observed between the environmental temperature and body surface temperature (BTS) obtained from the abdomen (BTS-A; R = .4772; p < .0001) than with that obtained from the neck (BTS-N; R = .7259; p < .0001). Moreover, both BTS-A and SST were simultaneously captured in a single image. The consistent quality of the fresh, cooled and frozen semen suggests efficient thermoregulation in stallions throughout the year.
© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2024-04-03 PubMed ID: 38566398DOI: 10.1111/rda.14556Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article is investigating the use of thermography to measure scrotal surface temperature in stallions and its impact on semen quality. It found that there was good testicular thermoregulation all year, despite changes in external temperature, as shown by minimal correlation between scrotal surface temperature and ambient temperature.
Objective
The objective of this study was to investigate the value of thermography for monitoring testicular thermoregulation in stallions over a year’s period by measuring the scrotal surface temperature (SST). The researchers also aimed to establish the most effective area to measure body surface temperature in comparison to the SST.
Method
- Ten light-breed stallions participated in these experiments.
- Using thermography, images were captured of the scrotal and body surfaces, focusing specifically on the neck and the abdomen.
- The researchers both cooled and froze semen samples, which they then examined to assess the impact of thermoregulation on semen quality.
Findings
- The study found that stallions could maintain testicular thermoregulation throughout the year, despite fluctuations in environmental temperature. This was evidenced by the weak correlation between the scrotal surface temperature and the surrounding temperature.
- The researchers discovered that the correlation between body surface temperature from the abdomen (BTS-A) and environmental temperature was lower than the correlation between body surface temperature from the neck (BTS-N) and environmental temperature.
- Additionally, both BTS-A and SST could be simultaneously visualized in a single thermographic image.
- The consistent quality of the fresh, cooled, and thawed semen led the researchers to conclude that effective thermoregulation in stallions was maintained throughout the year.
Cite This Article
APA
Freitas ML, Viana JHM, Dode MAN, Braga TRC, de Oliveira RA.
(2024).
Use of thermography in the long-term evaluation of scrotal surface temperature and its impact on seminal quality in stallions.
Reprod Domest Anim, 59(4), e14556.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14556 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction (FAV/UnB), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasu00edlia, Brasu00edlia, Brazil.
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology), Brasu00edlia, Brazil.
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology), Brasu00edlia, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction (FAV/UnB), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasu00edlia, Brasu00edlia, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction (FAV/UnB), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasu00edlia, Brasu00edlia, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Male
- Temperature
- Thermography / veterinary
- Thermography / methods
- Semen Analysis / veterinary
- Scrotum / physiology
- Testis / physiology
- Semen / physiology
Grant Funding
- Fundau00e7u00e3o de Apoio u00e0 Pesquisa do Distrito Federal
- Coordenau00e7u00e3o de Aperfeiu00e7oamento de Pessoal de Nu00edvel Superior
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