Rhodesian Ridgebacks have an increased risk to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age‐dependent primarily non‐inflammatory enlargement of the accessory gland in the intact dog. The aim of the present study was to control a previously raised suspicion of a breed‐related higher incidence of BPH in dogs of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed. For this, 18 Labrador Retrievers/LR and 20 Rhodesian Ridgebacks/RR were assigned to the age groups 18–24 months (n = 12), 25–48 months (n = 13) and 49–72 months (n = 13). Prostate gland status was determined by rectal palpation, B‐mode ultrasound, calculation of the prostate gland volume and semen analysis regarding haemospermia and was classified according to blood plasma concentrations of canine prostate‐specific arginine esterase (CPSE) (normal ≤ 60 ng/ml, increased ≥ 61 ng/ml; Pinheiro et al., 2017). Concentrations of testosterone, 5α‐dihydrotestosterone and estradiol were analysed in peripheral blood serum or plasma for detecting breed‐specific conditions regarding the endocrine metabolism. Prostatic volume was significantly larger in RR irrespective of the CPSE status. In RR, BPH occurred more frequently and started at an earlier age compared with the LR. Breed‐related specificities in steroid metabolism in the RR were indicated by correlations of 5α‐dihydrotestosterone and estradiol with age and of testosterone with prostate gland volume. Although the incidence of sonographic signs of BPH and haemospermia did not fit with normal and increased CPSE concentrations, a breed‐specific higher incidence of BPH in the RR breed could be clearly verified.

What Happens in Male Dogs after Treatment with a 4.7 mg Deslorelin Implant? I. Flare up and Downregulation

“…Dogs were examined in standing position. The prostate gland was scanned sagittally for measuring length and height, and transversally for height and width [ 36 , 37 ]. Measurements of sagittal and transverse images of the prostatic length, height and width were performed in duplicates for calculating mean values and to calculate prostatic volume (PV) using the formula for an ellipsoid [length × (height + height/2) × width × 0.523)] [ 36 , 38 , 39 ].…”

“…Stained sperm cells indicate damaged sperm membranes, whereas unstained sperm cells indicate intact sperm membranes. For MAS, a semen aliquot was fixed with 300 µL formol citrate (2.9 g trisodiumcitrate dihydrate and 100 mL double distilled water, 4 mL of the solution replaced by 4 mL of 37% formaldehyde solution; Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany) [ 35 , 37 ]. A droplet of the fixed semen was placed on a glass slide, covered with a coverslip and 200 sperm—if enough sperm were available—were evaluated for their morphology at 1000× magnification (oil immersion) using a phase contrast microscope (Zeiss West, Oberkochen, Germany) [ 42 ].…”

Disorder predispositions and protections of Labrador Retrievers in the UK

“…suggestion of protection) of 18 disorders, including anal gland blockages, blocked tear ducts, colitis, corneal ulcers and cryptorchidism. Other studies have reported decreased risk in Labrador Retrievers for benign prostatic hyperplasia 37 , heart murmurs and degenerative mitral valve disease 38 and fatal acute pancreatitis 39 . However, to date, studies have not reported predispositions and protections in Labrador Retrievers using one dataset, which would avoid compounding biases.…”

Diseases of the Canine Prostate Gland

“…As a further predisposing factor, the breed was previously mentioned; large breeds seem to be more often concerned [34][35][36] and in a recent study, the Rhodesian Ridgeback was shown to be predisposed, pointing toward a genetic cause [35]. Some authors suggest a breed-specific pituitary prolactin secretion, which lacks evidence so far but deserves better investigation [35,37].…”