Shibu SimonRAGHAVENDRA A.2023-01-272023-01-272021-07-30https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810192806Thesis Submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Veterinary Science in Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and ObstetricsTwenty dogs presented at the University Veterinary Hospitals, Mannuthy and Kokkalai for breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) were selected for the study. These animals were retrospectively grouped into fertile (Group I, n=6) and subfertile (Group II, n=14) groups based on the BSE results and history. Comparison of results of semen evaluation, testicular and prostatic echobiometry, Doppler ultrasound measurement of testicular and prostatic arterial blood flow, serum T3, T4 and TSH and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in sperm-rich fraction of semen, were made between the two groups. Subfertile dogs were either azoospermic or had oligozoospermia or asthenozoospermia or teratozoospermia when compared to fertile dogs. On B-mode ultrasonography there was no significant difference in testicular volume between the two groups. The volume of left testis was 14606.86 ± 3128.06 mm3 and 11273.26 ± 2492.7 mm3 , respectively in Groups I and II, while the volume of right testis was 11807.94 ± 1820.79 mm3 and 9518.17 ± 1418.85 mm3 , respectively in Groups I and II. The volume of the left testis was significantly higher than that of the right testis (p < 0.05). Volume of the testis was positively correlated with body weight. Doppler studies of the supratesticular artery revealed that the peak systolic velocity (PSV) was significantly lower (P<0.01) in the subfertile group with values of 14.21 ± 0.6 cm/s and 8.59 ± 0.82 cm/s for the left testis in the fertile and subfertile groups, respectively and values of 12.94 ± 0.86 cm/s and 8.01 ± 1.09 cm/s for the right testis of the fertile group and subfertile groups, respectively. A similar trend was noticed in the values of the end diastolic volume (EDV) of supratesticular artery with values of 4.97 ± 0.28 cm/s and 3.12 ± 0.35 cm/s for the left testis of the fertile and subfertile groups, respectively and values of 5.02 ± 0.32 cm/s and 3.04 ± 0.46 cm/s for the right testis of the fertile and subfertile groups, respectively. The PSV of marginal artery was significantly lower (p<0.01) in the subfertile group in both the testes, with values of 12.86 ± 0.64 and 7.79 ± 0.64 cm/s for the left testis and 11.28 ± 0.77 and 8.41 ± 0.62 cm/s for the right testis, respectively in the fertile and subfertile groups. The EDV of marginal artery was significantly lower (P<0.01) in the subfertile group in both testes as evidenced by values of 6.97 ± 0.47 cm/s and 4.30 ± 0.38 cm/s for the left testis of the fertile and subfertile groups, respectively while those of the right testis was 5.92 ± 0.58 and 4.33 ± 0.33 cm/s for the fertile and subfertile groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in prostatic volume between the two groups as seen from the values of the fertile group at 16019.54 ± 4899.05 mm3 and that of the subfertile group, at 13963.53 ± 1729.27 mm3 . Pulsatality index (PI) of cranial prostatic artery of the two groups showed significant difference (P<0.01) with values of 2.51±0.04 and 2.25 ± 0.09, respectively in fertile and subfertile groups. Doppler indices of all other prostatic arteries had no significant difference. PI values were negatively correlated (P<0.05) and PSV was positively correlated (P<0.01) with volume of post-sperm fraction and sperm concentration. There was significant difference (P<0.01) in the value of ALP between the two groups (fertile: 168121.67 ± 22443.25 IU/L and subfertile:49605.86 ± 12669.68 IU/L). There was no statistically significant difference in the values of the thyroid function tests between the groups. The findings of the study demonstrate the possible use of echobiometric and Doppler studies of the canine prostate and testes in the critical evaluation of dogs with subfertility and the use of such tools in the design of relevant treatment protocols.EnglishThesis