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Pinzón-Osorio CA, Machado MA, Camozzato JNB, Dos Santos Velho G, Dalto AGC, Rovani MT, de Oliveira FC, Bertolini M. Inter-software reliability and agreement for follicular and luteal morphometric and echotextural ultrasonographic parameters in beef cattle. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 267:107518. [PMID: 38889613 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the inter-software and inter-observer reliability and agreement for the assessment of follicular and luteal morphometry and echotexture parameters in beef crossbreed females (3/8 Bos taurus indicus and 5/8 Bos taurus taurus). B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonographic ovarian images were obtained at specific time points of estradiol-progesterone-based protocols for timed artificial insemination (TAI). Sonograms were analyzed by two observers using a licensed (IASP1) and an open access (IASP2) software package. A total of 292 snap-shot sonograms were analyzed for morphometric parameters and 504 for echotexture parameters. inter-software reliability was judged moderate to excellent (ICC or CCC=0.73-0.98), whereas inter-observer reliability for morphometric parameters was deemed good to excellent (ICC or CCC=0.82-0.98). A small percentage (up to 10.95 %) of measured parameters fell outside the limits of inter-software and inter-observer agreement. For echotexture parameters, inter-software reliability varied widely (ICC or CCC=0.16-0.95) based on the size of regions of interest (ROI), while inter-observer reliability ranged from moderate to excellent (ICC or CCC= 0.71-0.97). The highest inter-software reliability for pixel value and heterogeneity value was observed for the corpus luteum (ICCs=0.81-0.95; P>0.05), followed by the peripheral follicular antrum (ICCs=0.75-0.78; P<0.05). However, lower reliability was determined for the follicular wall (ICCs=0.08-0.33; P<0.0001) and perifollicular stroma (ICCs=0.16-0.46; P<0.05). In conclusion, both software packages showed high reproducibility for morphometric measurements, while echotexture measurements were more challenging to replicate based on ROI sizes. Caution is advised when selecting ROI sizes for echotexture measurements in bovine ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Augusto Pinzón-Osorio
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Julia Nobre Blank Camozzato
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Dos Santos Velho
- Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - André Gustavo Cabrera Dalto
- Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Monique Tomazele Rovani
- Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernando Caetano de Oliveira
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Research Group "Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal" (FiBRA), Large Ruminant Sector, Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bertolini
- Embryology and Reproductive Technology Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Batista LAS, de Alencar Santos Júnior D, Rodrigues AS, Menezes AA, do Nascimento MJR, de Galiza GJN, de Medeiros Dantas AF, Frade MTS. Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of diffuse seminoma in horses: A case report. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59:e14706. [PMID: 39157940 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
The present study describes the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of a case of diffuse seminoma in a 16-year-old male mixed-breed horse. According to the owner, the animal's left testicle had been gradually increasing in size over a period of 2 months. On palpation, the testicle had a firm consistency, with no sensitivity to digital pressure, was adhered to the scrotum and measuring 16 cm × 8 cm. In the ultrasound examination, it presented a heterogeneous texture and areas of hypoechogenic echogenicity without visualization of the mediastinum. Therefore, the bilateral orchiectomy was performed. After the surgical procedure, it was found that the affected testicle presented a firm mass measuring 9 cm × 7 cm × 3.5 cm. Histologically, a multilobulated, non-encapsulated and invasive tumour mass was found, which replaced the seminiferous tubules, consisting of polygonal cells arranged in a mantle that varied from cohesive to loosely cohesive, supported by a scarce fibrous stroma. In the immunohistochemical examination, the neoplastic cells showed positive immunolabelling for OCT4 and C-KIT. In this report, the physical examination combined with the ultrasonographic examination were fundamental to the therapeutic management of the case, and the final diagnosis was made after histopathological and immunohistochemical tests.
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Waqas MS, Arroyo E, Tibary A. Diagnostic Approach to Equine Testicular Disorders. Vet Sci 2024; 11:243. [PMID: 38921990 PMCID: PMC11209109 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Management of breeding stallions is crucial to equine reproduction. The longevity of the breeding career is the ultimate objective, whether the stallion is used for natural cover or for semen collection and artificial insemination. Stud farm veterinarians should be aware of the techniques used to evaluate testicular function and the diagnostic approach to testicular disorders in cases of emergency. This paper presents the clinical methods used to evaluate testicular health, including palpation, ultrasonography, biopsy, and fine-needle aspiration. The discussion of testicular disorders is broken down into four categories: congenital disorders (cryptorchidism, monorchidism, and testicular hypoplasia), differential diagnosis of scrotal enlargement, differential diagnosis of causes of progressive testicular enlargement, and differential diagnosis of testicular asymmetry or reduction in size with an emphasis on testicular degeneration. The sudden increase in testicular size is often accompanied by severe clinical signs and is a major cause for referral of stallion for surgery. Testicular disorders are illustrated with clinical cases seen by the authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad-Salman Waqas
- Comparative Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
| | - Eduardo Arroyo
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Ahmed Tibary
- Comparative Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
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Pérez-Durand MG, Massa-Guzmán A, Luque-Mamani N, Ruelas-Calloapaza DA, Urviola-Sánchez JM, Condori-Chuchi EA, Gutiérrez-Reinoso MA, Perez-Guerra UH, García-Herreros M. Age-Related Differences in Testosterone Concentration and Its Relation to Testicular Biometrics, Hemodynamics, and Fertility in Alpacas ( Vicugna pacos). Vet Sci 2023; 10:429. [PMID: 37505834 PMCID: PMC10385440 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10070429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate the age-related differences in testosterone concentration and its relation to testicular biometrics, testicular blood flow, and fertility in alpacas (Vicugna pacos). Fifteen alpaca males with different ages (young (YM; ~12-14 mo.), n = 5; intermediate (IM; ~24 mo.), n = 5; and old (OM; ≥36 mo.), n = 5) were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken from each alpaca male and the circulating plasmatic testosterone concentration (TC; ng/mL) was determined using ELISA analysis. The testicular traits related to bio-morphometric parameters (the length (L), width (W), area (A), and volume (TV)) were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography. Pulse-wave/power Doppler ultrasonography was used to obtain the circulatory dynamic values (testicular hemodynamics) before the beginning of natural service mating. Significant differences were observed in TC among the age groups, increasing as the age of the males increased (2.47 ± 0.31, 8.45 ± 1.53, and 22.66 ± 2.15 for YM, IM, and OM, respectively; p < 0.05); however, no differences were observed regarding the testicular B-mode ultrasonographic parameters (L, W, and A) (p > 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between TV and testicular L, W, and A (r = 0.96, r = 0.95, and r = 0.96, respectively; p ≤ 0.001). Pulse-wave-Doppler-derived parameters such as the pulsatility index (PI) and the resistive index (RI), as well as the total vascularity area (TVA) assessed by power Doppler, were similar in all of the age groups studied (p > 0.05). General linear model (GLM) analysis showed a relationship between TC and TV (OR = 0.95; p = 0.04), as well as between TC and TVA (OR = 0.99; p= 0.02). Finally, no differences were observed regarding the pregnancy rate among the different age groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, TC increased as the age of the alpaca males increased. Although TC was related to TV and TVA, the pregnancy rates obtained from individuals belonging to the different age groups were similar, indicating that TC, TV, and TVA were not determining factors in assessing the potential age-related fertility differences in alpaca males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel G Pérez-Durand
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
| | - Angela Massa-Guzmán
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
| | - Natalio Luque-Mamani
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
| | | | - Jesús M Urviola-Sánchez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
| | - Eloy A Condori-Chuchi
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Veterinaria, Laboratorio de Medicina de Animales Mayores, Univesidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Cusco 08000, Peru
| | - Miguel A Gutiérrez-Reinoso
- Carrera de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC), Latacunga 050150, Ecuador
| | - Uri H Perez-Guerra
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
| | - Manuel García-Herreros
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), 2005-048 Santarém, Portugal
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Ortega‐Ferrusola C, Gómez‐Arrones V, Martín‐Cano FE, Gil MC, Peña FJ, Gaitskell‐Phillips G, Da Silva‐Álvarez E. Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57 Suppl 5:34-44. [PMID: 35748405 PMCID: PMC9796632 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound technology has led to new lines of research in equine reproduction, and it has helped to greatly improve clinical diagnosis and reproductive outcomes in equine practice. This review aims to discuss the potential clinical uses and new approaches of ultrasonography in equine reproduction. Doppler modalities are usually used to evaluate the vascularization of the follicles, corpus luteum (CL), and the uterus in the mare for diagnostic purposes. Inclusion of Doppler ultrasound in artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs could improve the reproductive outcome of these techniques. Better selection of recipients based on CL functionality, early pregnancy diagnosis 7-8 days postovulation of the donor before flushing or diagnosis of mares with endometritis with pathological increases of blood flow are examples of clinical applications in the mare. In the stallion, colour Doppler ultrasound has improved the diagnostic potential of B-mode ultrasound, improving the differential diagnosis of pathologies such as testicular torsion (decrease or absence of blood flow in the cord) and orchitis (increased blood flow in the cord). The incorporation of pulsed Doppler ultrasound into the reproductive evaluation of the stallion has enabled early identification of stallions with testicular dysfunction, thus allowing administration of timely treatment and subsequent improvements of the fertility prognosis for these animals. In addition, this technique has been used in the monitoring of patients undergoing medical and surgical treatments, thus verifying their efficacy. Recently, computer-assisted pixel analysis using specific software has been performed in research work in order to semi-quantitatively evaluate the vascularization (colour and power Doppler) and echotexture of different organs. These softwares are now being developed for clinical purposes, as is the case with Ecotext, a computer program developed for the evaluation of testicular echotexture, providing information on testicular functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ortega‐Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching HospitalUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
| | | | - Francisco E. Martín‐Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching HospitalUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
| | - Mari Cruz Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching HospitalUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
| | - Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching HospitalUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
| | - Gemma Gaitskell‐Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching HospitalUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
| | - Eva Da Silva‐Álvarez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching HospitalUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
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