Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Annual variations in resistive index (RI) of testicular artery, volume measurements and testosterone levels in bucks

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Comparative Clinical Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The gonads of animals with sexual seasonality should change their metabolic requests throughout the year. In this study, we registered the variations of testicular volumes and serum testosterone levels in three Sarda bucks (Capra Hircus) and characterized the blood flow in the testicular artery by Doppler Ultrasonography, in order to shed light onto the type of relation between these parameters. After a 12-month study we observed that testicular volumes and testosterone levels show a typical seasonal variation with a maximum volume of testicular parenchyma recorded in September (116.06 ± 25.22 ml) while testosterone reached its peak in December (620.43 ± 192.87 ng/dl). Blood supply and resistivity seem to follow the changes in the parenchyma according to the functional activity, and the lowest resistivity values were observed in September (0.73 ± 0.02). An inverse U-shape best describes the relationship between testicular volume and testosterone levels (p < 0.05). This is the first report showing the changes in the blood supply to the testicular parenchyma of the buck throughout the year.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atilla MK, Sargin H, Yilmaz Y, Odabas O, Keskin A, Aydin S (1997) Undescended testes in adults: clinical significance of resistive index values of the testicular artery measured by Doppler ultrasound as a predictor of testicular histology. J Urol 158(3 Pt 1):841–843

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey CS, Sper RB, Schewmaker JL, Buchanan CN, Beachler TM, Pozor MA, Whitacre MD (2012) Uterine artery blood flow remains unchanged in pregnant mares in response to short-term administration of pentoxifylline. Theriogenology 77(2):430–436

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Battaglia C, Giulini S, Regnani G, Madgar I, Facchinetti F, Volpe A (2001) Intratesticular Doppler flow, seminal plasma nitrites/nitrates, and nonobstructive sperm extraction from patients with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia. Fertil Steril 75(6):1088–1094

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bertolotto M, Quaia E, Rimondini A, Lubin E, Pozzi Mucelli R (2001) Current role of color Doppler ultrasound in acute renal failure. Radiol Med 102(5–6):340–347

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cappai P, Branca A, Floris B (1986) Variazioni circannuali dell'attività sessuale in becchi di Razza sarda, Alpina e Saanen. Atti della Società italiana di scienze veterinarie 40:258–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrillo JD, Soler M, Lucas X, Agut A (2012) Colour and pulsed Doppler ultrasonographic study of the canine testis. Reprod Domest Anim 47(4):655–659

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chemineau P, Normant E, Ravault JP, Thimonier J (1986) Induction and persistence of pituitary and ovarian activity in the out-of-season lactating dairy goat after a treatment combining a skeleton photoperiod, melatonin and the male effect. J Reprod Fertil 78(2):497–504

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky TJ, Chen P, Maklad N (1998) Color-flow and power Doppler imaging of the testes. World J Urol 16(1):35–40

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gumbsch P, Gabler C, Holzmann A (2002) Colour-coded duplex sonography of the testes of dogs. Vet Rec 151(5):140–144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann KL, Wood AK, Kirby AC (1997) Use of Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate renal arterial blood flow in horses. Am J Vet Res 58(7):697–701

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kusuda S, Nagami H, Kusunoki H, Nishikaku T, Nakagawa D, Takida T, Kurita D, Uemichi K, Fukai M, Kubota H, Ueda K, Ooe T, Okuda K, Ueda K, Doi O (2006) Annual changes in testicular size and serum and fecal testosterone concentrations in male bharals, Pseudois nayaur. J Vet Med Sci 68(10):1093–1095

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Middleton WD, Melson GL (1989) Testicular ischemia: color Doppler sonographic findings in five patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol 152(6):1237–1239

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mirarchi RE, Howland BE, Scanlon PF, Kirkpatrick RL, Sanford LM (1978) Seasonal variation in plasma LH, FSH, prolactin, and testosterone concentrations in adult male white-tailed deer. Can J Zool 56(1):121–127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muduuli DS, Sanford LM, Palmer WM, Howland BE (1979) Secretory patterns and circadian and seasonal changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin and testosterone in the male pygmy goat. J Anim Sci 49(2):543–553

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paltiel HJ, Diamond DA, Di Canzio J, Zurakowski D, Borer JG, Atala A (2002) Testicular volume: comparison of orchidometer and US measurements in dogs. Radiology 222(1):114–119

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pelletier J, Chemineau P, Delgadillo JA (1988) Seasonality of sexual activity and its photoperiodic control in the adult ram and he-goat. 11th Int. Congr. Anim. Repr. 211–219

  • Pinggera GM, Mitterberger M, Bartsch G, Strasser H, Gradl J, Aigner F, Pallwein L, Frauscher F (2008) Assessment of the intratesticular resistive index by colour Doppler ultrasonography measurements as a predictor of spermatogenesis. BJU Int 101:722–726

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pozor MA, McDonnel SM (2004) Color Doppler ultrasound evaluation of testicular blood flow in stallions. Theriogenology 61:799–810

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford LM, Winter JS, Palmer WM, Howland BE (1974) The profile of LH and testosterone secretion in the ram. Endocrinology 95(2):627–631

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schurich M, Aigner F, Frauscher F, Pallwein L (2009) The role of ultrasound in assessment of male fertility. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 144(Suppl 1):S192–S198

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Todini L, Malfatti A, Terzano GM, Borghese A, Pizzillo M, Debenedetti A (2007) Seasonality of plasma testosterone in males of four Mediterranean goat breeds and in three different climatic conditions. Theriogenology 67(3):627–631

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zaidi J, Jurkovic D, Campbell S, Okokon E, Tan SL (1995) Circadian variation in uterine artery blood flow indices during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 5(6):406–410

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zarazaga LA, Guzmán JL, Domínguez C, Pérez MC, Prieto R (2009) Effects of season and feeding level on reproductive activity and semen quality in Payoya buck goats. Theriogenology 71:1316–1325

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zelli R, Troisi A, Elad Ngonput A, Cardinali L, Polisca A (2013) Evaluation of testicular artery blood flow by Doppler ultrasonography as a predictor of spermatogenesis in the dog. Res Vet Sci 95(2):632–637

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna, 2-07100, Sassari, Sardinia, Italy

    A. Strina, A. Corda, S. Nieddu, M. Lilliu, M. T. Zedda, S. Pau & S. Ledda

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, via Padre Manzella, 4-07100, Sassari, Sardinia, Italy

    G. Solinas

Authors
  1. A. Strina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Corda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Nieddu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Solinas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Lilliu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. T. Zedda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. S. Pau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. S. Ledda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Strina.

Ethics declarations

Funding

This study was funded by the Regione Sardegna (Grant: Centro Competenza Biodiversità Animale), Italy, and by the Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca, Italy.

Ethical approval

All institutional and national guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals were followed and all procedures were performed in accordance with DPR 01/27/1992 (Animal Protection regulations of Italy) in conformity with European Community regulation 86/609.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Strina, A., Corda, A., Nieddu, S. et al. Annual variations in resistive index (RI) of testicular artery, volume measurements and testosterone levels in bucks. Comp Clin Pathol 25, 409–413 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2199-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2199-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation