ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Measurement of testicular artery blood flow is used in several species to evaluate reproductive function and testicular and scrotal pathology. In dogs there are inconsistent reports about normal flow in post-pubertal dogs and no information concerning pre-pubertal dogs. The aim of this study was to describe regional differences in testicular artery blood flow in clinically normal post-pubertal and pre-pubertal dogs with no history of reproductive tract disease. RESULTS: The post-pubertal dogs produced normal ejaculates throughout the study. In all dogs the three different regions of the artery were imaged and monophasic flow with an obvious systolic peak and flow throughout diastole was observed on every occasion. The highest peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured within the distal supra-testicular artery and marginal artery whilst the lowest PSV and EDV were measured within the intra-testicular arteries. Flow measurements were not different between left and right testes and were consistent between dogs on different examination days. Calculated resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were lowest in the intra-testicular arteries. The pre-pubertal dogs had significantly smaller testes than the post-pubertal dogs (p < 0.05) and were unable to ejaculate during the study. The three different artery regions were imaged at every examination time point, and flow profiles had a similar appearance to those of the post-pubertal dogs. PSV, EDV, RI and PI showed a similar trend to the post-pubertal dogs in that values were lowest in the intra-testicular arteries. Notably, values of PSV, EDV, RI and PI were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in pre-pubertal dogs compared with post-pubertal dogs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated important regional and pubertal differences in testicular artery blood flow of dogs, and form the basis for establishing baseline reference values that may be employed for the purposes of clinical diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Arteries/physiology , Dogs/physiology , Sexual Maturation/physiology , Testis/blood supply , Animals , Male , Semen Analysis/veterinary , Testis/diagnostic imaging , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
This study aimed to assess whether there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes. Twenty dogs were equally divided into small and large groups used in this study. The dogs were evaluated using Triplex ultrasound. Testicular artery was located by Colour Doppler in the spermatic cord, marginal to the testes and intratesticular segments and then, spectral Doppler were used to calculate: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). The mean testicular volume in the left side was significantly higher than the right side, in both groups. Doppler examination showed higher velocities (EDV) at spermatic cord in large dogs; marginal to the testes was observed higher velocities in small dogs; intratesticular region no differences were observed (P < 0.05) and within the groups differences between segments of the artery were also observed for each parameter. The results showed that there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes.(AU)
Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se existem diferenças nos parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos entre cães de diferentes portes. Para tanto, foram utilizados 20 cães, sendo 10 cães de pequeno porte e 10 cães de grande porte. Foram avaliados pelo Triplex Doppler para localização da artéria testicular nos segmentos de cordão espermático, marginal ao testículo e intratesticular. Após isso, o Doppler espectral foi acionado para cálculo dos parâmetros de velocidade de pico sistólico (VPS), velocidade diastólica final (VDF) e índices de resistência (IR) e pulsatilidade (IP). O volume testicular médio do testículo esquerdo foi significativamente maior que o direito em ambos os grupos. Ao Doppler, foram observadas diferenças dos valores entre os portes, sendo as velocidades no cordão espermático superiores nos animais de grande porte (P < 0,05) e dentro dos grupos também foram observadas diferenças entre as regiões da artéria testicular. Diante do exposto, conclui-se que existem diferenças nos parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos quando comparados animais de diferentes portes, além disso, os parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos são diferentes dependendo da região em que são mensurados.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Dogs , Testis/anatomy & histology , Testis/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Doppler/veterinary , Laser-Doppler Flowmetry/veterinaryABSTRACT
This paper aims to describe the uterine and ovarian ultrasonographic characteristics and Doppler velocimetric features of their arteries in bitches during the periovulatory period. Fifteen estrous cycles in 10 animals were evaluated. The ultrasonographic characteristics, resistance indices (RI) and pulsatility indices (PI) of the uterus and ovaries in each animal were recorded 5 days before and after ovulation (D0). The data were statistically analyzed, and the results were expressed as the mean ± standard error of mean (P<0.05). In results the ultrasonographic features of the uterus were the same on all of the cycles and evaluated days. The uterus had an average diameter of 0.85±0.02cm. An increase in the volume of the ovaries and the diameter of the ovarian follicles were measured. Ovaries had a volume of 0.64±0.06cm³, and the follicles cavities had a diameter of 0.46 ± 0.01 cm on the day of ovulation. After ovulation, it was observed that some follicles not collapse in some cycles. Two days prior to ovulation, the uterine blood perfusion decreased. This decrease remained unchanged until ovulation. Following ovulation, we measured a gradual increase in the uterine perfusion and in the ovarian artery. This artery directed blood flow to the ovaries and increased the intra-ovarian perfusion on the day after ovulation. In conclusion, specific features are observed in the uterus and ovarian ultrasound image and Doppler values of their arteries presented on the periovulatory days and when associated allow to estimate more accurately the date of ovulation.
Este trabalho teve como objetivo descrever as características ultrassonográficas uterinas e ovarianas, e dopplervelocimétricas das suas artérias nos dias periovulatórios em cadelas. Quinze ciclos estrais em 10 animais foram avaliados. As características ultrassonográficas, índices de resistência (IR) e índices de pulsatilidade (IP) do útero e dos ovários em cada animal foram registrados 5 dias antes e depois da ovulação (D0). Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente e os resultados foram expressos em média ± erro padrão da média (P<0,05). Como resultados as características ultrassonográficas uterinas foram semelhantes em todos os ciclos e dias avaliados, tendo o corpo uterino um diâmetro médio de 0,85±0,02cm. Foi observado um aumento no volume dos ovários e nos diâmetros dos folículos, tendo os ovários um volume de 0,64±0,06cm³, e a cavidade dos folículos um diâmetro de 0,46±0,01cm no dia da ovulação. Após a ovulação, foi observado colapso dos folículos somente em alguns ciclos. A perfusão sanguínea uterina diminuiu dois dias antes da ovulação e permaneceu inalterada até a ovulação. Após a ovulação, houve um aumento gradual na perfusão das artérias uterinas e ovarianas, direcionando o fluxo de sangue para os ovários e aumentando a perfusão da artéria intra-ovariana um dia após a ovulação. Conclui-se que características específicas são observadas na imagem ultrassonográfica uterina e ovariana, e dopplervelocimétricas de suas artérias nos dias periovulatórios, e quando associadas permitem estimar com mais precisão o dia da ovulação.
