Serum testosterone, sperm quality, cytological, physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of the prostatic fraction of dogs with prostatomegaly

Comparative Evaluation of Diagnostic Methods for Subclinical Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Intact Breeding Male Dogs

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an androgen-related non-neoplastic enlargement of the prostate gland that commonly affects both reproductive capabilities and the general health of intact dogs. The subclinical form of BPH can be challenging to diagnose due to a lack of clinical signs, even if rectal palpation is performed. Left untreated, this condition poses risks to the dogs' health and breeding status. This study, involving 65 male dogs, aimed to investigate subclinical BPH through rectal palpation, ultrasonography, and analysis of canine prostatic-specific esterase (CPSE). Of the participants, 35 had subclinical BPH, and 30 served as a healthy control group. Dogs suspected of subclinical BPH, as determined by examination results from ultrasonography and CPSE analysis, underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA) guided by ultrasound to enhance diagnostic precision. Findings revealed distinct differences in rectal palpation and ultrasonography between subclinical BPH and healthy dogs. This study established diagnostic thresholds based on prostatic volume and CPSE values and proposed new thresholds for subclinical BPH. Additionally, results showed that prostate gland volume depended on the weight and the age of the dog. In conclusion, early detection of this condition is possible through various examinations, such as changes in ultrasound features, CPSE levels, and rectal palpation. All together, these methods can aid practitioners in early detection of BPH and assist with scheduling screening programs for dogs, ultimately promoting their overall health and reproductive well-being. In conclusion, we advocate for routine, non-invasive prostate screenings in breeding males, underlining the effectiveness of a combination of various multiple techniques for early subclinical BPH detection.

Effects of Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract on the Hormones, Serum Biochemicals, and Hematological Parameters in Dogs with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disorder in non-neutered dogs and is often caused by androgenic stimulation or changes in the ratio of androgen to estrogen. Also, it is commonly seen in neutered older dogs. Clinical signs may not be presented, but persistent or intermittent hematuria, hemospermia, or a primary hemorrhagic discharge are usually reported. In this research, ethanolic extract of licorice root (EELR) was used as the treatment, which has various antioxidant and healing properties and can reduce lesions by establishing an antioxidant balance and reducing inflammation. For this experiment, 30 dogs of approximately the same age and weight were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 each. The treatment groups received the EELR at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg separately, while the control group received no medications. At the end of the 9-week treatment period, biochemical and hormonal factors were measured and analyzed by blood sampling. The results showed that the EELR has multiple positive effects on the serum biochemical indices and also positively affects hormone levels, while it can decrease the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in BPH dogs. In conclusion, the EELR can effectively reduce BPH-induced lesions without any side effects.

Prostatic fluid composition and semen quality in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia undergoing treatment with osaterone acetate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may alter prostatic fluid biochemical composition causing reduced fertility. Osaterone acetate (OA) is an androgen receptor antagonist marketed for treatment of canine BPH. Little information exists on effects of OA administration on biochemical composition of canine prostatic fluid and its role on fertility. The aim of this research was to study biochemical composition of prostatic fluid and its role on semen quality in dogs with BPH undergoing treatment with OA. Eight intact, 5-11-year-old dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated orally with OA at a dose of 0.25-0.5 mg/kg once daily for seven days. Prostatic volume, semen evaluation and a biochemical analysis of prostatic fluid were performed on the day before treatment (D0), D60, D120, D180 and D240. A significant reduction (57% and 61%) of prostatic volume was observed at D60 and D120, respectively, and a significant reduction (20%) of normal spermatozoa was observed at D60 coincident with a significant increase of sperm tail defects, which disappeared during the course of the treatment. Prostatic fluid composition did not vary during the OA treatment except for zinc (Zn²⁺ ) with a significant increase at D120 and D180 correlated with the return to normal sperm values. In conclusion, canine Zn²⁺ prostatic fluid concentrations decrease during development of BPH and return to normal during treatment with OA. Zn²⁺ is an important electrolyte for semen quality, suggesting that oral Zn²⁺ supplementation might be considered a treatment to improve semen quality.

Concentrations of canine prostate specific esterase, CPSE, at baseline are associated with the relative size of the prostate at three-year follow-up

Background

Enlargement of the prostate is associated with prostatic diseases in dogs, and an estimation of prostatic size is a central part in the diagnostic workup. Ultrasonography is often the method of choice, but biomarkers constitute an alternative. Canine prostate specific esterase (CPSE) shares many characteristics with human prostate specific antigen (PSA) and is related to prostate size. In men with clinical symptoms of prostatic disease, PSA concentrations are related to prostate growth. The aims of the present follow-up study were to evaluate if the concentration of CPSE is associated with future growth of the prostate, and if analysis of a panel of 16 steroids gives further information on prostatic growth. Owners of dogs included in a previous study were 3 years later contacted for a follow-up study that included an interview and a clinical examination. The prostate was examined by ultrasonography. Serum concentrations of CPSE were measured, as was a panel of steroids.

Results

Of the 79 dogs included at baseline, owners of 77 dogs (97%) were reached for an interview, and 22 were available for a follow-up examination. Six of the 79 dogs had clinical signs of prostatic disease at baseline, and eight of the remaining 73 dogs (11%) developed clinical signs between baseline and follow-up, information was lacking for two dogs. Development of clinical signs was significantly more common in dogs with a relative prostate size of ≥2.5 at baseline (n = 20) than in dogs with smaller prostates (n = 51). Serum concentrations of CPSE at baseline were not associated with the change in prostatic size between baseline and follow-up. Serum concentrations of CPSE at baseline and at follow-up were positively associated with the relative prostatic size (S_rel) at follow-up. Concentrations of corticosterone (P = 0.024), and the class corticosteroids (P = 0.0035) were positively associated with the difference in S_rel between baseline and follow-up.

Conclusions

The results support the use of CPSE for estimating present and future prostatic size in dogs ≥4 years, and the clinical usefulness of prostatic size for predicting development of clinical signs of prostatic disease in the dog. The association between corticosteroids and prostate growth warrants further investigation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-021-02874-1.

Highlights on the Canine Prostatic Specific Esterase (CPSE): A diagnostic and screening tool in veterinary andrology

In the last years, the need to look for an accurate and precise diagnosis of prostatic diseases in dogs has grown. Among other diagnostic tools, the seric CPSE has been studied and identified as a valid and specific biomarker for prostatic disorders, since it can result significantly more elevated in dogs affected by several prostatic abnormalities, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, bacterial prostatitis and prostatic carcinoma. Therefore, dosing CPSE in serum represents a new diagnostic and screening tool. Dosing CPSE in everyday clinical practice has three objectives: (a) the diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia; (b) the preventive screening of prostatic disorders in healthy dogs; (c) the medical follow‐up in subjects with prostatic disorders during and after medical therapy. Neither circadian rhythms nor transrectal palpation performed during the andrological examination do affect CPSE. A sexual rest of at least 24 hr before dosing CPSE is recommended as it is affected by ejaculation.

Clinical and spermatological findings in male dogs with acquired infertility: A retrospective analysis

A variety of causative factors of infertility in male dogs has been reported. In this study, the results of clinical examination and semen evaluation of 61 infertile stud dogs are described. Infertility was defined as conception failure of at least three matings with different bitches. The dogs, belonged to various breeds, were 4-8 years old and had a history of prior normal fertility. The dogs were subjected to clinical examination including ultrasonography of the prostate and testes. The semen was evaluated using CASA and microscopically morphology and live-dead spermatozoa. In all dogs, the semen parameters were outside the reference range, and mostly oligoastheno-teratozoospermia was found. There were also three cases of azoospermia. Thirty dogs showed no clinical abnormalities of the genital organ and no signs of systemic diseases, and testicular degeneration was assumed as the possible cause of infertility. In 20 dogs, BPH was diagnosed. In three dogs, infertility was associated with hypothyroidism. Three dogs had a history of babesiosis, and one dog prolonged ketoconazole treatment. One case each of chronic prostatitis, prostatic adenocarcinoma, epididymitis and retrograde ejaculation was diagnosed. The cause of acquired infertility could not be identified in almost half of the dogs. In other, infertility was often associated with prostate diseases.

Freezing and storage effects on enzyme, electrolyte, and mineral compositions in canine prostatic fluid

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of information about the storage stability of seminal plasma components in literature.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the potential effects of storage at -18.0°C on the enzyme activities and concentrations of selected electrolytes and minerals in canine prostatic fluid.

METHODS

Semen was obtained in fractions from ten male dogs, and the third ejaculate fraction was analyzed immediately after sampling and after storage at -18.0°C for 7 days. The following analytes were assessed: gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), sodium, potassium, total calcium, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, zinc, and copper.

RESULTS

Whereas electrolyte and mineral concentrations were not affected by freezing and 7 days of storage, effects on the enzyme activities were variable. ALP, AST, and LDH activities were significantly decreased (P < .05) in the post-thaw samples compared with the freshly prepared samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Because freezing and storage of seminal plasma at -18°C had an impact on the activity of some enzymes, analyses should be performed in fresh, not frozen samples.

Composition of collared peccary seminal plasma and sperm motility kinetics in semen obtained during dry and rainy periods in a semiarid biome

The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental effects in a semiarid region on collared peccary seminal plasma content and sperm motility. Ejaculates from 12 mature males were obtained during the peak of rainy and dry periods of the Caatinga biome. Samples were evaluated for semen volume, pH, as well as sperm concentration, morphology, osmotic response, membrane integrity, chromatin condensation, and kinetic motility. Seminal plasma was evaluated for ions and organic compounds. The values for chloride, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, citric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, and fructosamine were similar during the dry and rainy periods; however, concentrations of fructose (849.2 mg/dL compared with 119.4 mg/dL) and calcium (32.3 mg/dL compared with 15.6 mg/dL) were greater during the rainy compared with dry period (P <  0.05). There were correlations (P <  0.05) among values for semen variables and biochemical contents, particularly between fructose and sperm velocity average pathway (r = 0.65), velocity straight line (r = 0.78), velocity curvilinear (r = 0.57), amplitude lateral head (r = 0.62), linearity (r = 0.41), and subpopulation with a medium velocity (r = -0.75). Furthermore, values for relative humidity were positively correlated with concentrations of fructose (r = 0.49), while air temperature (r = -0.43) and wind velocity values (r = 0.66) were negatively affected by concentration of fructose (P <  0.05). There were novel results regarding collared peccary seminal plasma biochemistry indicating there are important correlations with values for semen variables that are affected by the environment in a semiarid climate.

Concentrations of minerals in the canine prostatic fluid

Current knowledge about the composition of the prostate fluid in healthy male dogs is limited and restricted to small case numbers. Furthermore, published data often vary significantly regarding sample processing and analytical methods. Therefore, we aimed to provide data on the composition of electrolytes and minerals in the canine prostatic fluid in a larger population (n = 30 dogs/samples) and to compare these results with the existing literature. Concentrations of sodium, potassium and copper analysed in our population were most consistent with those in the literature. Different to this, concentrations of total calcium, magnesium, zinc and inorganic phosphate varied. Whereas magnesium, zinc and inorganic phosphate seemed to depend on the analysis method, total calcium concentrations differed if centrifugation was performed or not. Our results clearly indicate a need for standardization of methods for analysis of seminal plasma components.

Environmental effects on collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) serum testosterone, testicular morphology, and semen quality in the Caatinga biome

The objective of the study was to understand the influence of climatic variations in a semiarid environment on serum testosterone, testicular morphology and semen quality in collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu). Reproductive metrics (semen quality, testicular morphometry and testosterone serum profiles) of 10 mature males were measured monthly for 18 months. Meteorological data (rainfall, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and radiant heat load) also were recorded during the same period. Rainfall regimes were classified in different classes (Class 1: months with no rain; Class 2: months with up to 50 mm of rain; and Class 3: months with >50 mm of rain). Among rainfall classes, average air temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%) were different. Climatic changes between rainfall classes did not lead to overall variations of testicular size, testosterone production, and semen metrics. However, relative humidity recorded before semen collection (one day, one week, or over 51-55 days) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with semen motility metrics (total motility, beat cross frequency and straightness) and sperm subpopulations (medium and static sperm), as well as with volume. Negative correlations (P < 0.05) were revealed between air temperature and the same semen motility patterns and volume. Additionally, radiant head load measured on the day of semen collection negatively influenced (P < 0.05) sperm straightness. This study demonstrates for the first time that no seasonal changes could be detected overt the 18-month period on the serum testosterone, testicular morphology and semen quality of collared peccaries raised in the Caatinga biome; however, it is expected that long term environmental changes will influence the reproductive physiology of species leaving in that habitat.