Relationship of serum testosterone, sperm production, and testis traits with fertility of Mangalarga Marchador stallions / Relación entre testosterona sérica, producción espermática y características testiculares con la fertilidad en sementales Mangalarga Marchador / Relação entre testosterona sérica, produção espermática e características testiculares com fertilidade em garanhões Mangalarga Marchador

Abstract Background: Assessing breeding soundness is important to predict the potential fertility of stallions. Objective: To investigate the association of testis traits, total number of spermatozoa, and testosterone with fertility of Mangalarga Marchador breed stallions. Methods: The traits measured were testicular length, width and height, right and left testicular volume and total testicular volume. We also evaluated the total number of spermatozoa (TNS), serum testosterone concentration and fertility of stallions (by embryo recovery from donor mares) in the breeding and non-breeding seasons during 1 year. Analysis of variance was performed to verify the effects of age category (AC; young/adult) and reproductive season on the traits. Correlations and repeatability of the traits were also calculated. Results: The AC did not influence testis traits (p>0.05). Reproduction season affected left testicular length, left testicular height, right testicular width and height (p<0.05). The AC and season affected testis volume (p<0.05). There were no effects of AC and season on TNS and testosterone (p>0.05). We observed strong correlations between all testicular measurements and testicular volume (0.53 to 0.75), medium correlation between TNS and testis volume (0.32), and low correlation between testosterone and testis traits (0.20). Repeatability of the characteristics of left and right testis was medium to high (0.22 to 0.78). Embryo recovery rate was 60% and its correlation with TNS was 0.44. Conclusion: Testis size evaluation is recommended over the evaluation of serum testosterone concentration to predict sperm output. Sperm output (TNS) is a good predictor of stallion fertility.

Resumen Antecedentes: Es importante realizar examen andrológico de sementales para predecir su potencial reproductivo. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre características testiculares, número total de espermatozoides y testosterona con la fertilidad de sementales de raza Mangalarga Marchador. Métodos: Las características medidas fueron: longitud testicular, ancho y altura del testículo. También fue calculado el volumen testicular derecho, izquierdo y total, así como el número total de espermatozoides (TNS), concentración sérica de testosterona y fertilidad (por recuperación embrionaria de las yeguas) de los sementales dentro y fuera de la temporada reproductiva durante un año. Se realizó análisis de varianza para evaluar el efecto de categoría de edad (AC) y estación reproductiva sobre las características. Resultados: La AC no influenció las características testiculares (p>0,05). La estación reproductiva influenció la longitud del testículo izquierdo, la altura del testículo izquierdo, y el ancho y altura del testículo derecho (p<0,05). La AC y la estación reproductiva influenciaron el volumen testicular (p<0,05). No hubo efecto de AC y estación reproductiva en el TNS y testosterona (p>0,05). Se observó una alta correlación entre todas las características testiculares y el volumen testicular (0,53 a 0,75), mediana correlación entre TNS y el volumen testicular (0,32), y una baja correlación entre las medidas testiculares y la testosterona (0,20). La repetitividad de las medidas testiculares fue media a alta (0,22 a 0,78). La tasa de recuperación embrionaria fue de 60% y la correlación con TNS fue 0,44. Conclusión: Para predecir la producción espermática se recomienda evaluar las características testiculares, sin necesidad de medir testosterona. La producción espermática es un buen predictor de la fertilidad de los sementales.

Resumo Antecedentes: Realizar o exame andrológico no garanhão, é importante para predizer seu potencial reprodutivo. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação das características testiculares, número total de espermatozoides, testosterona e fertilidade de garanhões Mangalarga Marchador. Métodos: As características mensuradas foram: comprimento do testículo, largura do testículo e altura do testículo. Também foi calculado o volume testicular, direito, esquerdo e total, assim como calculado o número total de espermatozoides (TNS), concentração sérica de testosterona e fertilidade dos garanhões (pela recuperação embrionária das éguas doadoras) durante e fora da estação reprodutiva durante um ano. Foi feita análise de variância para verificar efeito da categoria de idade (AC) e estação reprodutiva sobre as características. Resultados: A AC não influenciou nas características testiculares (p>0,05). Estação reprodutiva influenciou no comprimento testicular esquerdo, altura testicular esquerda, largura e altura testicular direita (p<0,05).A AC e estação reprodutiva influenciaram no volume testicular (p<0,05). Não houve efeito da AC e estação reprodutiva no TNS e testosterona (p>0,05). Foi observado alta correlação entre todas características testiculares e volume testicular (0,53 a 0,75), media correlação entre TNS e volume testicular (0,32), e baixa correlação entre medidas testiculares e testosterona (0,20). A repetitividade das medidas testiculares foi meia a altas (0,22-0,78). A taxa de recuperação embrionária foi 60% e a correlação com TNS foi de 0,44. Conclusão: É recomendada a avaliação das características testiculares para predizer a produção espermática sem necessidade de mensurar testosterona. A produção espermática é um bom preditor da fertilidade dos garanhões.

Significance of Testicular Size and Plasma Hormone Levels in Infertile Males / 대한비뇨기과학회지

For the evaluation and management of male infertility, measurements of testicular size (volume) and plasma hormones (FSH, LH and testosterone) have been considered as very important procedures besides the routine examinations of history, physical examination, laboratory works including semen analyses and testicular biopsy and special studies. A total of 99 infertile males with small testes which were less than 1Oml in volume was subjected to the assessment of plasma FSH, LH and testosterone levels. They were divided into 6 study groups; such as Group I. Control: 28 men with normal semen parameters and plasma hormone values. Group II. Oligospermia: 12 patients with sperm density of less than 20 X 10 6/ml. Group III. Testicular azoospermia: 22 patients with testicular biopsy of better than germ cell arrest. Group IV Sertoli cell only syndrome: 25 patients proved by testicular histology. Group V. Klinefelter`s syndrome: 30 patients proved by karyotype studies. Group VI. Eunuchoidism: 10 patients proved by laboratory and physical examinations. The results obtained in this clinical study were as follows (Table 1): Testicular sizes were decreased in Groups IV. Sertoli cell only syndrome, V. klinefelter`s syndrome, and VI. Eunuchoidism. Plasma LH levels were increased in Groups IV. Sertoli cell only syndrome, and V Klinefelter`s syndrome. Plasma FHS levels were increased in Groups IV. Sertoli cell only syndrome, and V. Klinefelter`s syndrome. The long-term hormonal therapy with high doses of human chorionic gonadotropin and human menopausal gonadotropin combined with testosterone was applied to a total of 216 infertile patients with small tests (less than 10ml in volume) for 12 months (range: 3-24 months). Semen parameters were improved in 10 patients who were severe oligozoospermia before the treatment and spermatogenesis was induced in 14 patients who were azoospermic before the treatment following the hormonal therapy. In conclusion, an infertile male with small testis (less than 10ml, should be adequately evaluated before declaration of final diagnosis of sterility.

The Relationship between the Size of the Testis and Plasma Hormonal Levels in Sertoli Cell Only Syndrome / 대한비뇨기과학회지

There were 122 infertile males who received testicular biopsy in our department during the period from 1978 to 1980. Among them, 20 patients were diagnosed to have Sertoli cell only syndrome by pathologic finding. A cumulative clinical investigation was undertaken in 20 patients with Sertoli cell only syndrome using history taking, orchidometer, semen analysis, and plasma hormonal assay (FSH. LH, & Testosterone). We found the interesting relationship between the size of the testis and plasma hormonal levels. 1. In pathologic finding, Sertoli cell only syndrome was 16%, spermatic arrest 16%, hypospermatogenesis 15%, peritubular fibrosis 15%, and normal testis accompanying obstruction of efferent duct 22%. 2. The size of the testis was average 12ml, and plasma FSH was increased to average 27.43 IU/L, plasma LH was also increased to average 25.9 IU/L, but plasma testosterone was within normal ranges (average 5.58 ng/ml).