B-mode and Doppler Ultrasonography of Accessory Genital Glands and Testes in Male Goats During the Breeding Season

The aims of the present study were to scan the echogenicity of reproductive organs of bucks during the breeding season. The influence of testosterone on haemodynamic Doppler indices of accessory genital glands of breeding bucks was also examined. Ten clinically healthy, sexually mature, Egyptian Baladi male goats were examined and the testes, tail of epididymis and accessory sex glands imaged using greyscale B-mode, colour Doppler ultrasonography. The spectral Doppler indices (pulsatility index and resistive index) were measured. Blood samples were collected and serum concentrations of testosterone, FSH and LH were determined. The results revealed that the echogenicity of testes, tail of epididymis and accessory genital glands was changed by breeding season. Pulsatility index values of supra-testicular artery, marginal artery, tail of the epididymis, ampulla, vesicular gland, pars disseminata of the prostate and bulbourethral gland were 0.85±0.04, 0.54±0.03, 0.4±0.03, 0.37±0.04, 0.51±0.03, 0.39±0.02 and 0.41±0.04, respectively. The resistive index of the above criteria were 0.51±0.04, 0.37±0.02, 0.3±0.03, 0.27±0.02, 0.31±0.03, 0.32±0.03 and 0.32±0.03, respectively. Serum testosterone concentration was 4.78±0.46 ng/mL. Furthermore, FSH and LH were 3.71±0.43 and 1.8±0.17 mIU/mL, respectively. Interestingly, testosterone clearly deceased the values of the both the pulsatility and resistive indices of the accessory genital glands of breeding bucks. Season modified the echogenicity of testes, epididymis and accessory genital glands. Testosterone regulated the reproductive indices of blood flow of the accessory genital glands of breeding bucks. Thus, this study could serve as a baseline of reference values of Egyptian Baladi male goats during the breeding season to improve reproductive efficiency.

Steroidogenic Enzyme and Steroid Receptor Expression in the Equine Accessory Sex Glands

The expression pattern and distribution of sex steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes during development of the equine accessory sex glands has not previously been described. We hypothesized that equine steroidogenic enzyme and sex steroid receptor expression is dependent on reproductive status. Accessory sex glands were harvested from mature stallions, pre-pubertal colts, geldings, and fetuses. Expression of mRNA for estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), androgen receptor (AR), 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-4 isomerase (3βHSD), P450,17α hydroxylase, 17–20 lyase (CYP17), and aromatase (CYP19) were quantified by RT-PCR, and protein localization of AR, ER-α, ER-β, and 3βHSD were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of AR, ESR2, CYP17, or CYP19 in the ampulla was not different across reproductive statuses (p > 0.1), while expression of ESR1 was higher in the ampulla of geldings and fetuses than those of stallions or colts (p < 0.05). AR, ESR1 and ESR2 expression were decreased in stallion vesicular glands compared to the fetus or gelding, while AR, ESR1, and CYP17 expression were decreased in the bulbourethral glands compared to other glands. ESR1 expression was increased in the prostate compared to the bulbourethral glands, and no differences were seen with CYP19 or 3β-HSD. In conclusion, sex steroid receptors are expressed in all equine male accessory sex glands in all stages of life, while the steroidogenic enzymes were weakly and variably expressed.

Metabolomic Analysis and Identification of Sperm Freezability-Related Metabolites in Boar Seminal Plasma

Some potential markers of boar sperm freezability have been found in spermatozoa, but little attention has been paid to seminal plasma. The seminal plasma is composed of secretions from the testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands. The exposure of spermatozoa to small molecules such as metabolites can affect sperm function. However, details and significance of the seminal plasma metabolome related to boar sperm freezability are unknown. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to explore the differences in the metabolic level of seminal plasma between boars with differential freezability and to explore the candidate biomarkers of semen freezability. A total of 953 metabolites were identified in boar semen plasma by UHPLC-qTOF-MS analysis, and 50 metabolites showed significant change between the GFE group and PFE group. Further, twelve metabolites were subjected to metabolic target analysis, and three metabolites (D-aspartic acid, N-acetyl-L-glutamate (NAG), and inosine) showed differences. In conclusion, there is significant difference in the metabolome of seminal plasma between GFE and PFE individuals. D-aspartic acid, NAG, and inosine in seminal plasma may be potential markers for assessing sperm cryopreservation resistance in boars.

Metabolomic Analysis and Identification of Sperm Freezability Biomarkers in Boar Seminal Plasma

Background: In the freezing process of boar sperm, there are obvious differences of freezability between individuals. Studies suggest that specific freezability markers might be useful in good (GFE) and poor freezabitity ejaculates (PFE) selection prior to cryopreservation. Some potential markers of boar sperm freezability have been found from spermatozoa, little attention has been paid to seminal plasma. The seminal plasma is composed of secretions from testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands, and the exposure of spermatozoa to small molecules such as metabolites can affect the sperm functions. However, details and significance of the seminal plasma metabolome related to boar sperm freezability are unknown. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to explore the difference in the metabolic level of seminal plasma between boars with differential freezability, and to explore the biomarkers of semen freezing tolerance. Results: A total of 953 metabolites were identified in boar semen plasma by UHPLC-qTOF-MS analysis, and 50 metabolites show significant change between GFE group and PFE group. Further, twelve metabolites were subjected to metabolic target analysis and three metabolites (D-Aspartic acid, N-Acetyl-L-glutamate (NAG), and Inosine) show differences.Conclusions: There is significant differece on metabolome of seminal plasma between GFE and PFE individuals. The D-Aspartic acid, NAG, and Inosine in seminal plasma may be potential markers for assessing sperm cryopreservation resistance in boars.

Doppler and B-mode ultrasonographic monitoring of accessory sex glands and testes in Barki rams during the breeding season

The aim of this study was to perform ultrasonographic imaging of the testes and accessory sex glands in adult Barki rams during the breeding season. The impact of testosterone on the Doppler indices of accessory sex glands was also investigated. Scrotal contents, pelvic urethra and accessory sex glands of twelve mature Barki rams were scanned with multiple imaging of B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonography. Serum concentrations of testosterone, FSH and LH were determined. The results revealed that the breeding season changed the echogenicity of testicular parenchyma, spermatic cord, epididymal tail, glans penis and echotexture of accessory sex glands. Serum testosterone was 7.27±0.37 ng/mL, FSH was 6.46±0.2 and LH was 5.6±0.28 m IU/mL. The pulsatility index (PI) for the supra-testicular artery (STA), marginal artery (MA) of the testes and epididymal tail was 1.01±0.07, 0.58±0.04 and 0.5±0.04. The resistive index (RI) for the same structures was 0.6±0.04, 0.33±0.04 and 0.3±0.03, respectively. Importantly, testosterone downregulated PI and RI of the ampulla, vesicular gland, prostate gland and bulbourethral gland. In conclusion, the breeding season changed the echogenicity of reproductive organs and accessory genital glands of rams, and testosterone regulated the hemodynamic parameters of the accessory sex glands.

Histomorphology of accessory sex glands in one-humped camel bull (Camelus dromedarius), Uda Rams and Red Sokoto Buck

Accessory sex glands of fifteen apparently healthy adult one-humped Camel bulls (OCB), Uda rams (UR) and Red Sokoto bucks (RSB) (Five per species) were collected from Sokoto metropolitan abattoir. They were then dissected out for routine histology using H&E. The size of muscularis and the number of secretory cells in the ampullary gland were observed to be highest in OCB, followed by UR and least in RSB. In the three species, the vesicular gland has tubular secretory glands and was separated into lobules by connective tissue trabeculae. Multiple acini were observed with an irregular folded lumen and were lined by simple columnar secretory cells. The prostate of OCB was observed to have highest amount of the interstitial connective tissues and rich in striated muscles which surround the lobules. Fibromuscular trabeculae extended into the parenchyma and most pronounced in OCB than other two species. The number of secretory acini appeared to be more in RSB than the other two species. The bulbourethral gland has numerous connective tissue and numerous trabeculae that originated from the capsule and divides the gland into lobules. Each lobule is populated by acini. In all the three species, the parenchyma is lobulated and consists of compound-tubulo-alveolar secretory end pieces. It was concluded that although results showed that the studied animals are different ruminant species, they exhibit some similarities and interesting histomorphological differences in their accessory sex glands compared to the majority of mammals