No abstract

Pelvic measurements were carried out in cats with various cranial conformations to (1) determine pelvic morphometry, (2) compare any pelvic differences with cranial conformation and gender and (3) determine whether body biometrics can be used to predict pelvic measurements. Thirteen brachycephalic and 14 mesaticephalic female cats and 17 brachycephalic and nine mesaticephalic male cats were used. Body and external pelvic measurements, as well as pelvic radiographs, were performed. Brachycephalic females all had external pelvic and radiographic measurements that were significantly smaller than those of the mesaticephalic females, including smaller pelvic inlet and outlet areas and a smaller pelvic canal shape. Brachycephalic females had wider and flatter heads than do mesaticephalic females. Similarly, brachycephalic males all have radiographic pelvic measurements that are smaller than those of mesaticephalic males. Males had larger pelvis measurements than did their female counterparts for both cranial types, and indirect pelvimetry did not demonstrate good predictive value in determining the internal pelvic measurements. Thus, we conclude that pelvic differences exist between genders and between brachycephalic and mesaticephalic cats. Furthermore, body biometric measurements do not have good predictive value for determining internal pelvic measurements.

(2015) Semen quality, testicular B-mode and Doppler ultrasound, and serum testosterone concentrations in dogs with established infertility. Theriogenology, 84 (5). pp. 805-810. ISSN 1879-3231 Access from the University of Nottingham repository: http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/38920/1/Dogs%20with%20Established%20Infertility %20Theriogenology.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. concentrations (1.40 ± 0.62 ng / mL) than fertile dogs (1.81 ± 0.87 ng / mL) (P < 0.05). 37There were subjective differences in testicular echogenicity in some of the infertile 38 dogs, and important differences in testicular artery blood flow with lower peak systolic 39 and end diastolic velocities measured in the distal supra-testicular artery, marginal 40 testicular artery and intra-testicular artery of infertile dogs (P < 0.05). Notably, 41resistance index and pulsatility index did not differ between infertile and fertile dogs. 42These findings demonstrate important differences between infertile and fertile dogs 43 which may be detected within an expanded breeding soundness examination.

BackgroundMeasurement of testicular artery blood flow is used in several species to evaluate reproductive function and testicular and scrotal pathology. In dogs there are inconsistent reports about normal flow in post-pubertal dogs and no information concerning pre-pubertal dogs. The aim of this study was to describe regional differences in testicular artery blood flow in clinically normal post-pubertal and pre-pubertal dogs with no history of reproductive tract disease.ResultsThe post-pubertal dogs produced normal ejaculates throughout the study. In all dogs the three different regions of the artery were imaged and monophasic flow with an obvious systolic peak and flow throughout diastole was observed on every occasion. The highest peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured within the distal supra-testicular artery and marginal artery whilst the lowest PSV and EDV were measured within the intra-testicular arteries. Flow measurements were not different between left and right testes and were consistent between dogs on different examination days. Calculated resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were lowest in the intra-testicular arteries.The pre-pubertal dogs had significantly smaller testes than the post-pubertal dogs (p < 0.05) and were unable to ejaculate during the study. The three different artery regions were imaged at every examination time point, and flow profiles had a similar appearance to those of the post-pubertal dogs. PSV, EDV, RI and PI showed a similar trend to the post-pubertal dogs in that values were lowest in the intra-testicular arteries. Notably, values of PSV, EDV, RI and PI were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in pre-pubertal dogs compared with post-pubertal dogs.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated important regional and pubertal differences in testicular artery blood flow of dogs, and form the basis for establishing baseline reference values that may be employed for the purposes of clinical diagnosis.

RESUMO.-[Avaliação Triplex Doppler dos testículos de cães de tamanhos diferentes.]Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se existem diferenças nos parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos entre cães de diferentes portes. Para tanto, foram utilizados 20 cães, sendo 10 cães de pequeno porte e 10 cães de grande porte. Foram avaliados pelo Triplex Doppler para localização da artéria testicular nos segmentos de cordão espermático, marginal ao testículo e intratesticular. Após isso, o Doppler espectral foi acionado para cálculo dos parâmetros de velocidade de pico sistólico (VPS), velocidade diastólica final (VDF) e índices de resistência (IR) e pulsatilidade (IP). O volume testicular médio do testículo esquerdo foi significativamente maior que o direito em ambos os grupos. Ao Doppler, foram observadas diferenças dos valores entre os portes, sendo as velocidades no cordão espermático superiores nos animais de grande porte (P < 0,05) e dentro dos grupos também foram observadas diferenças entre as regiões da artéria testicular. Diante do exposto, conclui-se que existem diferenças nos parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos quando comparados animais de diferentes portes, além disso, os parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos são diferentes dependendo da região em que são mensurados. INTRODUCTIONThe ultrasonographic evaluation of the testes allows the study of anatomy, parenchyma and adjacent structures, which is important to detect anatomical abnormalities, as well as guiding interventional procedures for diagnosis purposes (Nyland & Matton 2004). Two-dimensional ultrasound of the testes enables the assessment of echogenicity and echotexture, besides the measure of testicular volume, which may represent normal development of testes, serving as a tool in detecting testicular diseases (Dogra et al. 2003). This study aimed to assess whether there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes. Twenty dogs were equally divided into small and large groups used in this study. The dogs were evaluated using Triplex ultrasound. Testicular artery was located by Colour Doppler in the spermatic cord, marginal to the testes and intratesticular segments and then, spectral Doppler were used to calculate: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). The mean testicular volume in the left side was significantly higher than the right side, in both groups. Doppler examination showed higher velocities (EDV) at spermatic cord in large dogs; marginal to the testes was observed higher velocities in small dogs; intratesticular region no differences were observed (P < 0.05) and within the groups differences between segments of the artery were also observed for each parameter. The results showed that there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes.