The effects of therapeutic ultrasound waves on testicular tissue, echogenicity, semen quality, oxidative stress, and acute-phase proteins in dogs

Effect of direct therapeutic ultrasound exposure of ovaries on histopathology, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in dogs

BACKGROUND

This research was designed to evaluate the effects of therapeutic ultrasound waves on ovarian germinal tissue and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A (SAA), C reactive protein (CRP)) and oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in dogs. Twenty-six clinically healthy adult mix-breed female dogs were aligned into three groups. Laparotomy was performed in control (n = 6) and treatment (T5, n = 10; T10, n = 10) groups. The ultrasonic exposure of ovaries in treatment groups was performed during laparotomy by round motions of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer on both ovaries (1 MHz frequency, 1.5 W⁄cm2) for 5 min in the T5 group and for 10 min in the T10 group. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein into a plain glass tube on days 0 (before laparotomy), 3, 6, and 9 after surgery. All control and treatment groups' dogs were ovariectomized for histological evaluation on day 60 after laparotomy or laparotomy + ultrasound exposure.

RESULTS

Direct exposure of ovaries with therapeutic ultrasound waves induced inflammation and oxidative stress comparison with the control group. Histopathological evaluation of treated ovaries with ultrasound waves indicated a decreased number of primordial follicles (ovarian reserve) and oocyte preservation scores compared with ovaries in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These changes may cause subfertility in the long term. It seems that inflammatory response and oxidative stress are factors in the permanent damage of ovarian tissue.

Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine in Sport and Companion Animals: Therapeutic Ultrasound

BACKGROUND

To explore the scientific evidence for therapeutic ultrasound (TU), we conducted a systematic review of the literature on TU in dogs, horses, donkeys, and cats.

METHODS

In three major databases, relevant articles published in 1980-2020 were identified. The risk of bias in each article was evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-four relevant articles on the effects of TU in dogs, nine in horses, two in donkeys, and one in cats were identified. TU usually involved 2-6 treatments weekly for up to 4 weeks. Articles on tendon, ligament, and bone healing, acute aseptic arthritis, osteoarthritis, paraparesis, hindquarter weakness, and back muscle pain were identified. In experimental bone lesions in dogs, there is moderate scientific evidence for enhanced healing. For the treatment of other musculoskeletal conditions, the scientific evidence is insufficient due to the high risk of bias. There is substantial evidence that continuous TU increases tissue temperature in muscles and tendons by up to 5 °C in healthy animals. For disorders in tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints in sport and companion animals, there is insufficient evidence for the clinical effects of TU.

A preliminary study of transabdominal ultrasonic wave treatment on the germinal tissues of dog ovaries as a contraceptive approach

The aim of this study was to investigate effects in dogs of ultrasonic waves on the ovarian germinal tissues. There was assignment of ovaries of each dog being a control (right ovary) or treated (left ovary) tissue, regardless of the estrous cycle status. For the treated ovary, the ultrasonic probe was set at a frequency of 1 MHz and power of 1.5 W/cm² and placed on the skin at a location in close proximity to the left ovary that was predetermined using ultrasonography. Subsequently there was a focusing of the waves for 5 min on the tissues of the treated ovary. The treatment was repeated three times at 48 -h intervals. There was placement of the probe at the same proximity to the control ovary; however, the probe was not activated. Ovariectomies for histological examination were performed 30 (five dogs) and 60 (five dogs) days following the ultrasonic treatments. Histopathological examination results indicated there was a reduction in numbers of primordial follicles of four dogs and oocyte degeneration in the Graafian and primordial follicles of five dogs. In most dogs, the degeneration of the granulosa cells of the Graafian follicle was observed in the treated ovaries. The results indicate the treatment of ovaries with transabdominal ultrasonic waves at a 1 MHz frequency, and 1.5 W/cm² power for three times with each treatment lasting for 5 min at a 48-h interval, did not result in complete ablation of the germinal tissues of the ovary during the 2-month period subsequent to treatment.