Evaluating the use of ultrasonography with Doppler to assess peripubertal development and predict breeding soundness examination classifications in ram lambs
Keywords:
Ram lambs, testicular volume, testicular pixel intensity, heart rate
Abstract
The objectives were to evaluate changes in testicular characteristics of peripubertal rams and determine their association with breeding soundness examination (BSE) classifications. We hypothesized that testicular echotexture and blood flow assessed via ultrasonography with Doppler would predict subsequent BSE classifications. Ram lambs (n = 40) were examined on intake for performance testing in May. In May and June, scrotal circumference (SC) and scrotal skin temperature measurements were obtained. Additionally, ultrasonography with Doppler was used to calculate total testicular volume (TTV), assess pixel intensity, and measure resistive (RI) and pulsatility (PI) indices of the right testicular artery. Rams underwent BSE ~ 10 weeks after the initial evaluation and either passed or failed based on SC and sperm quality. SC, TTV, and pixel intensity increased between May and June, whereas RI and PI decreased (p < 0.01). SC and scrotal skin temperature were greater (p = 0.03) for rams with an ‘excellent’ BSE classification than those that failed. SC was also positively correlated (r = 0.53; p < 0.01) with percent normal sperm at BSE. Testicular pixel intensity, RI, and PI did not differ (p ≥ 0.28) based on BSE classification. Decreased (p = 0.01) heart rates on intake in May were reported in rams with ‘excellent’ BSE classifications and associated with greater percent normal sperm (r = 0.42; p = 0.01) at BSE. In conclusion, ultrasonography with Doppler can be useful for assessing peripubertal development in ram lambs but provided limited capability in predicting BSE classification.
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References
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30. Carvajal-Serna M, Miguel-Jiménez S, Pérez-Pe R, et al: Testicular ultrasound analysis as a predictive tool of ram sperm quality. Biology 2022;11:261. doi: 10.3390/BIOLOGY11020261/S1
31. Montes-Garrido R, Riesco MF, Anel-Lopez L, et al: Application of ultrasound technique to evaluate the testicular function and its correlation to the sperm quality after different collection frequency in rams. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1035036. doi: 10.3389/Fvets.2022.1035036/Bibtex
32. Hedia MG, El-Belely MS, Ismail ST, et al: Monthly changes in testicular blood flow dynamics and their association with testicular volume, plasma steroid hormones profile and semen characteristics in rams. Theriogenology 2019;123:68-73. doi: 10.1016/J.Theriogenology.2018.09.032
33. Kozłowska N, Faundez R, Borzyszkowski K, et al: The relationship between the testicular blood flow and the semen parameters of rams during the selected periods of the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Animals 2022;12:760. doi: 10.3390/ANI12060760
34. Ntemka A, Kiossis E, Boscos C, et al: Effects of testicular hemodynamic and echogenicity changes on ram semen characteristics. Reprod Domest Anim 2018;53:50-55. doi: 10.1111/RDA.13279
2. O’Brien D, Schoenian S, Whitley N: Dewormer resistance on Virginia sheep farms 2017. Available from: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/5523 [cited 16 October 2023].
3. Weaver AR: Evaluation of terminal sire breeds for hair sheep production systems. Master of Science. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; 2017.
4. Ott RS, Memon MA: Breeding soundness examinations of rams and bucks, a review. Theriogenology 1980;13:155-164. doi: 10.1016/0093-691X(80)90124-7
5. Lunstra DD, Echternkamp SE: Repetitive testicular biopsy in the ram during pubertal development. Theriogenology 1988;29:803-810. doi: 10.1016/0093-691X(88)90217-8
6. Giffin JL, Bartlewski PM, Hahnel AC: Correlations among ultrasonographic and microscopic characteristics of prepubescent ram lamb testes. Exp Biol Med 2014;239:1606-1618. doi: 10.1177/1535370214543063
7. Brito LFC, Barth AD, Wilde RE, et al: Testicular ultrasonogram pixel intensity during sexual development and its relationship with semen quality, sperm production, and quantitative testicular histology in beef bulls. Theriogenology 2012;78:69-76. doi: 10.1016/J.Theriogenology.2012.01.022
8. Camela ESC, Nociti RP, Santos VJC, et al: Ultrasonographic characteristics of accessory sex glands and spectral Doppler indices of the internal iliac arteries in peri- and post-pubertal Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate. Anim Reprod Sci 2017;184:29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.06.010
9. Kenyon PR, Maloney SK, Blache D: Review of sheep body condition score in relation to production characteristics. New Zeal J Agric Res 2014;57:38-64. doi: 10.1080/00288233.2013.857698
10. Burke JM, Kaplan RM, Miller JE, et al: Accuracy of the FAMACHA system for on-farm use by sheep and goat producers in the southeastern United States. Vet Parasitol 2007;147:89-95. doi: 10.1016/J.Vetpar.2007.03.033
11. Ley WB, Sprecher DJ, Lessard P, et al: Scrotal circumference measurements in purebred Dorset, Hampshire and Suffolk lamb and yearling rams. Theriogenology 1990;34:913-925. doi: 10.1016/0093-691X(90)90561-7
12. Tomlinson M, Jennings A, Macrae A, et al: The value of trans-scrotal ultrasonography at bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE): the relationship between testicular parenchymal pixel intensity and semen quality. Theriogenology 2017;89:169-717. doi: 10.1016/J.Theriogenology.2016.10.020
13. Chenoweth PJ, Hopkins FM, Spitzer JC, et al: Guidelines for using the bull breedings soundness evaluation form. Clinical Theriogenology 2010;2:43-50.
14. Kuster CE, Singer RS, Althouse GC: Determining sample size for the morphological assessment of sperm. Theriogenology 2004;61:691-703. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(03)00240-1
15. Tibary A, Boukhliq R, El Allali K: Ram and buck breeding soundness examination. Rev Mar Sci Agron Vét 2018;6:241-255.
16. Adamczyk K, Makowska A, Jedraszczyk J, et al: Effect of behaviour of Holstein-Friesian and Simmental bulls on semen quality. J Cent Eur Agric 2013;14:22-34. doi: 10.5513/JCEA.V14I2.2159
17. Braz KMG, Monteiro FM, Fernandes LG, et al: Does bull temperament impact growth performance and semen quality? Livest Sci 2020;236:104038. doi: 10.1016/J.Livesci.2020.104038
18. Martin GB, Jorre de St Jorre T, Al Mohsen FA, et al: Modification of spermatozoa quality in mature small ruminants. Reprod Fertil Dev 2011;24:13-18. doi: 10.1071/RD11902
19. Marai IFM, El-Darawany AA, Fadiel A, et al: Physiological traits as affected by heat stress in sheep—A review. Small Rumin Res 2007;71:1-12. doi: 10.1016/J.Smallrumres.2006.10.003
20. Kahwage PR, Esteves SN, Jacinto MAC, et al: Assessment of body and scrotal thermoregulation and semen quality of hair sheep rams throughout the year in a tropical environment. Small Rumin Res 2018;160:72-80. doi: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2018.01.015
21. Kahwage PR, Esteves SN, Jacinto MAC, et al: High systemic and testicular thermolytic efficiency during heat tolerance test reflects better semen quality in rams of tropical breeds. Int J Biometeorol 2017;61:1819-1829. doi: 10.1007/S00484-017-1367-4/TABLES/5
22. Kastelic JP, Coulter GH, Cook RB: Scrotal surface, subcutaneous, intratesticular, and intraepididymal temperatures in bulls. Theriogenology 1995;44:147-152. doi: 10.1016/0093-691X(95)00155-2
23. Kastelic JP, Cook RB, Coulter GH: Effects of ambient temperature and scrotal fleece cover on scrotal and testicular temperatures in rams. Can J Vet Res 1999;63:157.
24. Bailey TL, Monke D, Hudson RS, et al: Testicular shape and its relationship to sperm production in mature Holstein bulls. Theriogenology 1996;46:881-887. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(96)00245-2
25. Claus LAM, Barca Junior FA, Koetz Junior C, et al: Scrotal skin thickness, testicular shape and vascular perfusion using Doppler ultrasonography in bulls. Livest Sci 2019;226:61-65. doi: 10.1016/J.Livesci.2019.06.005
26. Bailey TL, Hudson RS, Powe TA, et al: Caliper and ultrasonographic measurements of bovine testicles and a mathematical formula for determining testicular volume and weight in vivo. Theriogenology 1998;49:581-594. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(98)00009-0
27. Camela ESC, Nociti RP, Santos VJC, et al: Changes in testicular size, echotexture, and arterial blood flow associated with the attainment of puberty in Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate. Reprod Domest Anim 2019;54:131-137. doi: 10.1111/RDA.13213
28. Maquivar MG, Smith SM, Busboom JR: Reproductive management of rams and ram Lambs during the pre-breeding season in US sheep farms. Animals 2021;11:2503. doi: 10.3390/ANI11092503
29. Giffin JL, Franks SE, Rodriguez-Sosa JR, et al: A study of morphological and haemodynamic determinants of testicular echotexture characteristics in the ram. Exp Biol Med 2009;234:794-801. doi: 10.3181/0812-RM-364/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/10.3181_0812-RM-364-FIG4.JPEG
30. Carvajal-Serna M, Miguel-Jiménez S, Pérez-Pe R, et al: Testicular ultrasound analysis as a predictive tool of ram sperm quality. Biology 2022;11:261. doi: 10.3390/BIOLOGY11020261/S1
31. Montes-Garrido R, Riesco MF, Anel-Lopez L, et al: Application of ultrasound technique to evaluate the testicular function and its correlation to the sperm quality after different collection frequency in rams. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1035036. doi: 10.3389/Fvets.2022.1035036/Bibtex
32. Hedia MG, El-Belely MS, Ismail ST, et al: Monthly changes in testicular blood flow dynamics and their association with testicular volume, plasma steroid hormones profile and semen characteristics in rams. Theriogenology 2019;123:68-73. doi: 10.1016/J.Theriogenology.2018.09.032
33. Kozłowska N, Faundez R, Borzyszkowski K, et al: The relationship between the testicular blood flow and the semen parameters of rams during the selected periods of the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Animals 2022;12:760. doi: 10.3390/ANI12060760
34. Ntemka A, Kiossis E, Boscos C, et al: Effects of testicular hemodynamic and echogenicity changes on ram semen characteristics. Reprod Domest Anim 2018;53:50-55. doi: 10.1111/RDA.13279
Published
2024-06-28
How to Cite
Stewart J., Reiff O., Helms A., Clark S., Greiner S., & Pelzer K. (2024). Evaluating the use of ultrasonography with Doppler to assess peripubertal development and predict breeding soundness examination classifications in ram lambs. Clinical Theriogenology, 16. https://doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10416
Section
Research Reports
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