Comparative Evaluation of Diagnostic Methods for Subclinical Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Intact Breeding Male Dogs.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an androgen-related non-neoplastic enlargement of the prostate gland that commonly affects both reproductive capabilities and the general health of intact dogs. The subclinical form of BPH can be challenging to diagnose due to a lack of clinical signs, even if rectal palpation is performed. Left untreated, this condition poses risks to the dogs' health and breeding status. This study, involving 65 male dogs, aimed to investigate subclinical BPH through rectal palpation, ultrasonography, and analysis of canine prostatic-specific esterase (CPSE). Of the participants, 35 had subclinical BPH, and 30 served as a healthy control group. Dogs suspected of subclinical BPH, as determined by examination results from ultrasonography and CPSE analysis, underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA) guided by ultrasound to enhance diagnostic precision. Findings revealed distinct differences in rectal palpation and ultrasonography between subclinical BPH and healthy dogs. This study established diagnostic thresholds based on prostatic volume and CPSE values and proposed new thresholds for subclinical BPH. Additionally, results showed that prostate gland volume depended on the weight and the age of the dog. In conclusion, early detection of this condition is possible through various examinations, such as changes in ultrasound features, CPSE levels, and rectal palpation. All together, these methods can aid practitioners in early detection of BPH and assist with scheduling screening programs for dogs, ultimately promoting their overall health and reproductive well-being. In conclusion, we advocate for routine, non-invasive prostate screenings in breeding males, underlining the effectiveness of a combination of various multiple techniques for early subclinical BPH detection.

Dynamic Changes in Progesterone Concentration in Cows' Milk Determined by the At-Line Milk Analysis System Herd NavigatorTM.

The aim of the current instant study was to evaluate relative at-line milk progesterone dynamic changes according to parity and status of reproduction and to estimate the relationship with productivity in dairy cows by at-line milk analysis system Herd NavigatorTM. According to the progesterone assay, experimental animals were divided into three periods: postpartum, after insemination, and pregnancy. In the first stage of the postpartum period, progesterone levels in milk were monitored every 5 days. This period of reproductive cycle recovery was followed for 30 days (days 0-29). The second stage of the postpartum period (30-65 days) lasted until cows were inseminated. In the period (0-45 days) after cow insemination, progesterone levels were distributed according to whether or not cows became pregnant. For milk progesterone detection, the fully automated real-time progesterone analyzer Herd NavigatorTM (Lattec I/S, Hillerød, Denmark) was used in combination with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden). We found that an at-line progesterone concentration is related to different parities, reproductive statuses, and milk yield of cows: the 12.88% higher concentration of progesterone in milk was evaluated in primiparous cows. The average milk yield in non-pregnant primiparous cows was 4.64% higher, and in non-pregnant multiparous cows 6.87% higher than in pregnant cows. Pregnancy success in cows can be predicted 11-15 days after insemination, when a significant increase in progesterone is observed in the group of pregnant cows.

Detection and molecular characterization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Lithuanian wild boar populations.

BACKGROUND: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is recognized worldwide as an important and economically devastating pathogen in pig production. Although PRRSV is widespread in domestic swine, there is a lack of information regarding PRRSV infection in European wild boars (Sus scrofa). Currently available information does not provide conclusive evidence that wild boars are a reservoir of PRRSV. Nevertheless, wild boars may be likely to become infected by domestic swine through occasional direct or indirect contact. Furthermore, wild boars can act as a reservoir for infectious diseases of domestic pigs. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to determine the virus prevalence and further explore the epidemiology and diversity of PRRSV strains present in Lithuanian wild boars over a 5-year period. A total of 1597 tissue and serum samples from wild boars inhabiting 44 districts and ten counties in Lithuania were analysed using conventional nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time Taqman RT-PCR for the detection of PRRSV-specific open reading frame (ORF) 1 and 6 sequences. RESULTS: PRRSV was highly prevalent in Lithuanian wild boar populations, with an average rate of 18.66 % using conventional RT-PCR and 19.54 % using real-time RT-PCR. PRRSV was detected in 36.71 and 41.77 % of 237 hunting grounds tested by conventional RT-nPCR and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. No statistically significant differences in PRRSV prevalence were observed by geographic area in the ten Lithuanian counties. Animals infected with PRRSV were identified in all age groups; however, significantly higher prevalence rates were identified in subadult and adult wild boars than in juveniles up to 12 months old. No positive results were obtained using conventional PCR with Type 2 specific primers. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial ORF5 region revealed that ten wild boars harboured virus sequences belonging to genetic subtypes 3 and 4 and may therefore pose a serious threat to Lithuanian pig farms in which only subtype two strains are circulating. CONCLUSIONS: The results of virus prevalence and phylogenetic analyses strongly support the role of wild boars as a possible natural reservoir for PRRSV in Lithuania.

Effect of active immunization against GnRH on testosterone concentration, libido and sperm quality in mature AI boars.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of the Improvac on testosterone concentration in blood serum, sexual behavior and sperm quality in matured AI boars. A total of nine Danish Landrace AI boars were included in the analysis. METHODS: The trial period lasted for 15 weeks and was divided into four periods: Control period: three weeks before vaccination; Period I - four weeks after first vaccination; Period II - four weeks after second vaccination, Period III - four weeks after third vaccination. Blood and sperm samples were collected at weekly intervals. Freshly collected sperm samples were analyzed. RESULTS: Testosterone concentration correlated with libido (r = 0.531; p < 0.001), volume of ejaculate (r = 0.324; p < 0.001) and the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (r = 0.207; p < 0.05). Testosterone concentration rised significantly (p < 0.05) in 5-6 week of trial, e. i. after the first dose of Improvac and after this peak the level of testosterone further progressively decreased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate that active immunization of sexually matured boars against GnRH has negative impact on testosterone concentration, sexual behavior, volume of ejaculate and total number of normal spermatozoa in ejaculate.

Assessment of sperm quality traits in relation to fertility in boar semen.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been published where sperm plasma membrane integrity correlated to fertility. In this study we describe a simple fluorometer-based assay where we monitored the fluorescence intensity of artificially membrane-ruptured spermatozoa with a fixed time staining with fluorescent DNA dyes. METHODS: Membrane-impermeant fluorescent dyes Hoechst 33258 (H258) and propidium iodide (PI) were used to measure the fluorescence of the nucleus in artificially membrane ruptured spermatozoa and membrane-permeant dye Hoechst 33342 (H342) was used to measure fluorescence of intact spermatozoa. The concentration of spermatozoa in insemination doses varied from 31.2x10(6)/ml to 50x10(6)/ml and the average value was 35x10(6)/ml. Each boar was represented by three consecutive ejaculates, collected at weekly intervals. Nonreturn rate within 60 days of first insemination (NR%) and litter size (total number of piglets born) of multiparous farrowings were used as fertility measures. RESULTS: Sperm fluorescence intensity of H258 and H342, but not the fluorescence intensity of PI-stained spermatozoa correlated significantly with the litter size of multiparous farrowings, values being r=-0.68 (P<0.01) for H258, r=-0.69 (P<0.01) for H342 and r=-0.38, (P=0.11) for PI. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in fluorescence values of membrane-ruptured H258 and unruptured H342-stained spermatozoa in boar AI doses can be associated with smaller litter size after AI. This finding indicates that the fluorescence properties of the sperm nucleus could be used to select for AI doses with greater fertilizing potential.

Assessment of boar semen quality in relation to fertility with special reference to methanol stress.

The relationship between various semen evaluation tests and fertility in fertile and subfertile artificial insemination (AI) boars was examined. In total, 36 boars, 19 Finnish Landrace and 17 Yorkshire, were included. The average value of three ejaculates extended in an X-cell extender from each boar was used in the analysis. Based on nonreturn results (NR60d, later referred to nonreturn rate, NR%), the boars were divided into two groups: those with poor fertility (NR% < 80, n = 19) and those with normal or above average nonreturn rates (NR% = 83, n = 17). Semen quality was determined after 1 and 7 days of storage at 17 degrees C. Sperm motility before and after each methanol stress was assessed both subjectively and using a computer-assisted semen analyzer (CASA). The sperm cells were stained with calcein AM and propidium iodide and evaluated for plasma membrane integrity under an epifluorescence microscope. Propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258 dyes were used in parallel to stain sperm cells for fluorometric analysis with an automatic fluorometer. Sperm morphology was evaluated in stained smears. The percentage of sows reported as not having returned to estrus within 60 days after AI (nonreturn rate, NR%) and litter size of primiparous and multiparous farrowings were used as measures of fertility. Of the parameters analyzed, only CASA-assessed total sperm motility and methanol-stressed total sperm motility correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with nonreturn rate. Those tests presenting the highest correlation with nonreturn rate were CASA-assessed total motility (r = 0.54, P < 0.01) and subjective sperm motility (r = 0.52, P < 0.01) after 7 days of storage. The highest correlation with fertility at 1 day of storage was shown by methanol-stressed total sperm motility assessed with the CASA (r = 0.46, P < 0.01). The only semen parameter that correlated significantly (r = 0.37, P < 0.05) with litter size of multiparous farrowings was viability of seven-day stored semen stained with Hoechst 33258 and analyzed with a fluorometer. The methanol stress test described here could serve as a rapid test whose results could be used to predict NR% better than motility.