(2015) Digital image analysis of testicular and prostatic ultrasonographic echogencity and heterogeneity in dogs and the relation to semen quality. Animal Reproduction Science, 160 . pp. 112-119. ISSN 1873-2232 Access from the University of Nottingham repository: http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/38918/1/Image%20analysis%20testes%20and%20prostate %20Animal%20Reproduction%20Science.pdf Copyright and reuse:The Nottingham ePrints service makes this work by researchers of the University of Nottingham available open access under the following conditions. This article is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives licence and may be reused according to the conditions of the licence. For more details see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ A note on versions:The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of record. If you wish to cite this item you are advised to consult the publisher's version. Please see the repository url above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription.For more information, please contact eprints@nottingham.ac.uk shape, position, margination and internal architecture of the testes (England, 58 1991;Eilts et al., 1993; Paltiel et al., 2002;Gouletsou et al., 2008; Souza et al., 59 2014) and prostate gland (Blum et al., 1985; Juniewicz et al., 1989; England, 60 1991;Eilts et al., 1993; Ruel et al., 1998; Paltiel et al., 2002; Gouletsou et al., 61 2008; Freitas et al., 2013;Freitas et al., 2015). Ultrasonography also provides a 62 valuable tool in assessing reproductive pathology (Cartee and Rowles, 1983; 63 Feeney et al., 1987; Pugh and Konde, 1991; Cooney et al., 1992; England, 1995; 64 Keenan, 1998;Nautrup and Tobias, 2001; Hecht, 2008). 65 66In clinical practice, ultrasound images are subjectively assessed and described in 67 terms of their image texture; principally echogenicity and heterogeneity. A small 68 number of studies have proposed a relationship between grossly detectable 69 lesions within the testes and semen quality (England, 1991; Vencato et al., 2014). 70Objective analysis of echogenicity from measurements of pixel intensity is 71 however possible using digital image analysis (Ivancic and Mai, 2008) The aim of this study was to measure testicular and prostatic ultrasonographic 89 echogenicity and heterogeneity using digital image analysis, and investigate the 90 relationships between these measures and semen quality in a group of known 91 fertile dogs. 92 93 Materials and Methods 94 Study animals 95Forty-three stud dogs (21 Labrador Retrievers, 12 Golden Retrievers, 6 German 96 Shepherds, 1 Border Collie, 1 Flat Coated Retriever, 1 Irish Water Spaniel and 1 97Standard Poodle) with a mean weight of 35.5 ± 5.8 kg (range 20.6 to 54.1 kg) 98 aged between 1.1 and 9.3 years (mean 4.2 ± 2.0 years) were examined. Dogs 99 5 were selected on the basis that they met the following inclusion criteria; (1) 100 clinically healthy, (2) o...

ContentsThe reproductive potential of male animals is commonly evaluated using a breeding soundness examination incorporating B-mode ultrasound examination of the testes and recently Doppler ultrasound examination of the testicular arteries. These techniques may detect testicular normality or pathology, and while some measured parameters are associated with semen quality at the time of ultrasound examination, few studies have investigated the relationship with future semen quality. We hypothesized that B-mode and Doppler ultrasound measurements would correlate with future semen quality. Within two studies, we investigated the relationship between ultrasound measured testicular volume, testicular echogenicity, testicular homogeneity, subjective assessment of the testicular parenchyma, testicular artery resistance index, and pulsatility index with subsequent semen quality. Fifty-five normal fertile dogs of which 29 had stable semen quality and 26 had a subsequent decline in semen quality were examined during a 6-month period commencing 62 days after the ultrasound examination.Statistical analysis showed that no ultrasound parameters were predictive of future total sperm output or percentage live normal sperm. However, mean testicular echogenicity was positively related to future sperm motility (t = 2.202, p = .039). We conclude that quantitative ultrasound assessment of the appearance of the testicular parenchyma has potential for the evaluation of future semen quality in dogs.

Background: Delivering health topics in schools through peer education is known to be beneficial for all students involved. In this study, we have evaluated a peer-education workshop that aims to educate primary and secondary school students on hygiene, the spread of infection and antibiotics. Methods: Four schools in south-west England, in a range of localities, took part in peer-education workshops, with students completing before, after and knowledge-retention questionnaires. Mixed-effect logistic regression and mixed-effect linear regression were used to analyse the data. Data were analysed by topic, region and peer/non-peer-educator status. Qualitative interviews and focus groups with students and educators were conducted to assess changes in participants’ skills, confidence and behaviour. Results: Qualitative data indicated improvements in peer-educator skills and behaviour, including confidence, team-working and communication. There was a significant improvement in knowledge for all topics covered in the intervention, although this varied by region. In the antibiotics topic, peer-educators’ knowledge increased in the retention questionnaire, whereas non-peer-educators’ knowledge decreased. Knowledge declined in the retention questionnaires for the other topics, although this was mostly not significant. Conclusions: This study indicates that peer education is an effective way to educate young people on important topics around health and hygiene, and to concurrently improve communication skills. Its use should be encouraged across schools to help in the implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance that recommends children are taught in an age-appropriate manner about hygiene and antibiotics.