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- Title
Relación entre la ecotextura del parénquima testicular y la producción cuali/cuantitativa de semen en toros dadores de razas carniceras.
- Authors
Marcantonio, S.; Echegaray, A.; Gnemmi, G.; Quiroga, H.; Capdevielle, H. F.; Alza, G.; Sara, H.; Miragaya, G.
- Abstract
Fertility is a key variable in bovine production. Although both sexes take part in the pregnancy results, the fertility of each bull plays a fundamental role. In the last twenty years, ultrasonography (US) has begun to be considered a non-invasive tool for evaluating the structure and function of the male reproductive tract. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of testicular US to predict the quali/quantitative capacity to produce semen in bulls belonging to Semen Collection and Processing Centers (SCPC). A total of 57 semen-donor bulls were included in the study. Bulls were between 1.5 and 10 years of age and comprised the following beef-producing breeds: Angus, Brangus, Braford, Limangus and Polled Hereford. The number of ejaculates processed and the production of frozen straws during the two weeks before and the two weeks after the time “0” (day of ultrasound), “30” (30 days post ultrasound) and “60” (60 days post ultrasound) were registered. Ultrasound images were taken using an EXAGO® ultrasound (ECM Angulemme, France) with a multifrequency linear transducer configured at 7.5 MHz. Three transversal images were taken per testicle, in 3 positions: dorsal, medium and ventral. The images were analyzed using the ECOTEXT® software. A correlation analysis was carried out between all the Ecotext variables (EC1= black pixels, EC2= white pixels, EC3= mean gray level of pixels, Density= density of hypoechogenic areas, Diameter= mean diameter of hypoechogenic areas and Area percentage of hypoechogenic areas in the total area of the region of interets) and semen quality and production (time 0, time 30 and time 60). When analyzing the relationship between seminal quality and the parameters of testicular echotexture and microstructure at time 0, a positive relationship was observed between the density of AH and seminal volume (r=0.32). A highly significant negative relationship was observed between the percentage of abnormal heads and EC2, EC3 and tubule diameter (r= -0.37; -0.52; -0.37 respectively). Diameter was also negatively correlated with the percentage of other sperm morphological abnormalities (r= -0.30). The quantity of black pixels (EC1) was positively correlated with the area, density and diameter of the seminiferous tubules (r=0.69; 0.46 and 0.53, respectively). A positive correlation was observed between area and diameter and sperm concentration in the ejaculate 60 days after the ultrasound measurements (0.33 and 0.35, respectively). Significant differences in area and diameter were observed between bulls that produced good quality post-thaw ejaculates and those that produced ejaculates that were rejected at 30 and 60 days post ultrasound. No differences were observed in the Ecotext parameters between bulls that produced different number of straws per ejaculate. The AH density was the only Ecotext parameter that permitted a prediction of the freezing results on day 0. All bulls with up to 115 AH/cm² produced semen that was not apt for freezing. In conclusion, despite having shown different levels of association between the Ecotext parameters and semen quality, it remains necessary to continue the studies to be able to confirm the use of this tool to predict potential fertility of semen-donor bulls from CCPS.
- Subjects
TESTICULAR enzymes; SPERMATOGENESIS in animals; ARTIFICIAL insemination; ULTRASONIC imaging; BEEF cattle; CATTLE productivity; QUANTITATIVE research; MICROSTRUCTURE
- Publication
Taurus, 2022, Vol 24, Issue 93, p23
- ISSN
1515-3037
- Publication type
Article