Correlations between testicular hemodynamic and sperm characteristics in rams

• Main Authors: Leonardo Batissaco, Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini, Fábio Luis Valério Pinaffi, Bruna Marcele Martins de Oliveira, André Furugen Cesar de Andrade, Elena Carolina Serrano Recalde, Claudia Barbosa Fernandes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2013-10-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science
• Subjects: Ovine; Spermatozoa; Blood flow; Doppler; Testicle
• Online Access: http://www.revistas.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/79938

The testicular artery is responsible for the blood supply that reaches the testis and has great importance in heat radiation. Vascular changes in the testis may lead to damage in sperm production, reflected in sperm motility and morphology. The aim of the present study was to evaluate correlations between testicular vascularity and sperm characteristic. Eight adult Santa Ines rams showing different reproductive status were used. The testicular vascularity and sperm characteristics were evaluated fortnightly during 90 days. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to evaluate the testicular hemodynamic. Resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the testicular artery were evaluated by spectral-Doppler mode. The color-Doppler mode was used to evaluate the blood flow of the pampiniform plexus and testicular parenchyma. The semen analyses assessed were volume, concentration, motility, and morphology. The data were submitted to Pearson´s linear correlations test (p < 0.05 was considered significant). No correlations were found between motility and testicular hemodynamic. The percentage of total sperm defects was positively correlated to left and right parenchymal score and to left RI and PI. On the other hand, the pampiniform plexus score was positively correlated to the number of colored pixels and negatively correlated to the RI and PI, for both sides. This study showed that the increase of sperm defect can be related to increase of testicular blood flow; however, more studies are need.