ContentsThis study investigated correlations among ram semen quality parameters, testicular vascularity and echotexture. Measurements were performed biweekly for a year, before (BE) and after ejaculation (AE), on seven Chios breed rams [three rams (group A) and four rams (group B) of 2-6 and 9-13 years old, respectively], considering breeding (1) and non-breeding period (2). Hemodynamics [Pulsatility Index (PI), Resistive Index (RI)] were evaluated in each testis. Images of testicular parenchyma were analysed to evaluate echogenicity [Mean Value (MV), Contrast (Con), Gray Value Distribution (GVD), Run Length Distribution (RunLD), Long Run Emphasis (LRunEm)].Semen volume (V), concentration (C), kinetics (CASA), morphology (Sperm Blue), viability (Eosin-Nigrosin) and DNA fragmentation (Acridine Orange) were assessed. In group A/2, semen V was correlated to left testis PI and right testis RI, BE (r = 0.4, p = 0.013/r = 0.6, p < 0.001, respectively), and to right testis PI and RI, AE (r = 0.5, p < 0.001). In A/1/AE, semen C was correlated to left testis PI (r = −0.5, p = 0.003). In group A/1/BE, RI of both testes was correlated to total and tail abnormalities (left: r = −0.5, p = 0.008/ p = 0.004, respectively -right: r = −0.4/r = −0.5, p = 0.01/ p = 0.008, respectively). In group B/1/BE, sperm tail and total abnormalities were correlated to left testis Con (r = 0.5, p = 0.02/ p < 0.001, respectively), whereas in A/2/BE, they were correlated to left testis LRunEm (r = −0.8/r = −0.7, p < 0.001, respectively). In group A/1/BE, DNA damage was correlated to right testis LRunEm (r = −0.6, p < 0.001) and tail abnormalities to left testis PI (r = −0.5, p = 0.03). In group B/1/AE, right testis LRunEm, GVD, RunLD, were correlated to sperm DNA integrity (r = −0.9, p < 0.001). Immotile spermatozoa and viability were correlated to left testis Con in group B/2/AE (r = −0.6/r = 0.6, p < 0.001) and to right testis MV in group A/1/ AE (r = −0.6/r = 0.6, p < 0.001). In conclusion, alterations in both ram testes blood flow and echotexture seem to be moderately correlated with sperm assessed parameters, depending on season and ram age. K E Y W O R D S Chios sheep, colour Doppler, ram semen, testicular echogenicity, testicular hemodynamics, ultrasonography | 51 NTEMKA ET Al. How to cite this article: Ntemka A, Kiossis E, Boscos C, Theodoridis A, Kourousekos G, Tsakmakidis I. Effects of testicular hemodynamic and echogenicity changes on ram semen characteristics. Reprod Dom Anim. 2018; 53(Suppl. 2):50-55. https://doi.

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ABSTRACT:The effect of prolonged aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) administration on blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations in goats during the anoestrus period was investigated. Thirty Greek indigenous goats were used; 10 goats received, per os, 50 μg (treated group T50) and 10 goats received 100 μg (treated group T100) AFB 1 /day/head, respectively, for 31 days, while 10 goats served as controls (C). Blood samples were collected from each goat twice a week to determine serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum oestradiol-17β concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dosedependent manner, and a significant (P < 0.05) negative dependence over time (0-31 days, from the onset to the end of AFB 1 administration). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum progesterone concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose-dependent manner. Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentration, but only in the goats of the control group. In conclusion, the prolonged administration of 100 or even of 50 μg AFB 1 /day/head during the anoestrus period, increased blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations of goats, in a dose-dependent manner, and in the treated groups disturbed the positive correlation between oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentration shown in the goats of the control group.

The effect of prolonged aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) administration on blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations in goats during the luteal phase and the synchronized oestrus was investigated. Thirty-six Greek indigenous primiparous goats were used, during the oestrus period; 12 goats received, per os, 50 μg (treated group T50) and 12 goats received 100 μg (treated group T100) AFB 1 /day/head, respectively, for approximately 1.5 month, while 12 goats served as controls (C). On day 36 of the experiment, each goat was injected, i.m, 0.5 ml prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ). Blood samples were collected from each goat twice a week, before PGF 2α injection, as well as every 4 hours from the onset to the end of the synchronized oestrus. Oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations in blood serum were determined using radioimmunoassay. During the whole luteal(s) phase(s), linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative dependence (P < 0.05) of oestradiol-17β and a significant positive dependence (P < 0.05) of progesterone over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose dependent manner. During the synchronized oestrus, multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative dependence (P < 0.05) of oestradiol-17β, as well as a significant positive dependence (P < 0.05) of progesterone over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100) and over time (hours, from the onset to the end of the synchronized oestrus). No significant differences were noticed among the three groups, regarding the body weight of the goats from the onset to the end of AFB 1 administration, the occurrence or the duration of the synchronized oestrus presented by the goats (P > 0.05).In conclusion, prolonged AFB 1 administration at doses of 100 or even of 50 μg/day/head changes the hormonal pattern in blood during the luteal phase and the synchronized oestrus of goats, being in oestrus period.