A Comparative Study of the Effects of Osaterone Acetate and Deslorelin Acetate on Sperm Kinematics and Morpho-Functional Parameters in Dogs.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common problems in older male dogs that often has a huge impact on their health and welfare. This article presents a comparison between osaterone acetate (Ypozane®; Virbac®)(OA) and deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin®; Virbac®)(DA), medications that are the main therapeutic alternative to castration in dogs with BPH. Forty dogs were divided into four groups: I-negative control (five dogs without BPH); II-positive control (10 individuals diagnosed with BPH); III-15 dogs treated with DA, and IV-10 individuals treated with OA. Semen fractions were collected on days 0 (day of treatment), 7, 14, and 21, and weeks 8, 12, 16, and 20. Macroscopic, microscopic and CASA analyses were performed. Both DA and OA significantly affected the properties of the canine ejaculate. The DA lead to the lack of libido and had lesser effects to the sperm function before it caused azoospermia, whereas OA had no effect on libido and only temporary reduction in seminal plasma volume was observed, which resulted in temporary deterioration in the percentage of motile and progressive spermatozoa.

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Cyproterone Acetate to Prevent Flare-Up Effect on Dogs Implanted With Deslorelin.

Deslorelin slow-released implants are registered in Europe for the reversible suppression of fertility in male dogs. After administration, a time-limited increase in sex hormones concentration and related behavioral problems may be observed. The aim of this work was to assess whether cyproterone acetate, a synthetic progestogen, can prevent this flare-up effect. Eighteen privately-owned entire male dogs were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. All subjects received a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant by SC route and 1-3 capsules containing either cyproterone acetate 2 mg/kg (N = 9) or a placebo (N = 9), by oral route BID for 14 days, depending on the dog's weight. The dogs were followed for 28 days. An increase in the blood testosterone concentration was observed in respectively 9/9 and 7/9 dogs of the control and cyproterone groups (p = 0.47). However, a worsening of the sex hormone related problems (i.e., urinary marking, mounting, aggressiveness toward other dogs and/or escape) was only observed in the placebo group, in 56 or 66% of the dogs as measured by respectively the veterinarian and the owners. Our study suggests that cyproterone acetate is effective and safe to supress the deslorelin induced behavioral flare-up effect, but not the rise in testosterone.

Ultrasonography of the normal reproductive tract of the female domestic cat.

The objective of this study was (1) to describe the US appearance and obtain reference values for the uterus and ovaries in nongravid and gravid queens with histologically confirmed reproductive tracts without disorders, (2) to provide US measurements of the reproductive tract compared to gross macroscopic and water-bath post-OVH US measurements in nongravid queens, and (3) to describe the sonographic appearance of the female reproductive tract during the different histopathologic phases of the reproductive cycle in nongravid and gravid queens. Ninety-three queens from a "trap, neuter, return" program were included in this study. Sonographic evaluation of the reproductive tract was performed in all queens, and measurements of the corpus uteri, uterine horns, and ovaries were recorded. Following OVH, macroscopic measurements were obtained, and a water-bath US evaluation of these tissues and measurements was recorded. Samples from the corpus uteri and both the uterine horns and ovaries were collected for histopathologic examination after all measurements had been recorded. Seventy-two reproductive tracts met the inclusion criteria by having a histopathologically confirmed normal reproductive tract. Sixty-three queens were nonpregnant and 9 were pregnant. The ovaries and uterus were sonographically visible in all queens regardless of reproductive status. The ovaries were ovoid in shape, and the uterus appeared as a tubular structure with distinct wall layers (serosa and indistinct myometrium and myometrium, or serosa, myometrium, and endometrium), with variable echogenicity of the inner layers. The layering of the uterine wall, observed during the second half of pregnancy, was described. Ovarian follicles were visible in 66/72 (92%) cats. However, the CL was only visible in 40/72 (55%) cats. The reference values of the left ovarian length, right ovarian length, uterine horn diameter, and uterine body are 7.1-13.9, 7.3-13.6, 1-5.8, and 1.5-5.3 mm, respectively, in a nongravid uterus. The uterine wall thickness during pregnancy varied from 2.4 to 6.8 mm. There was a significant positive correlation between US measurements obtained in vivo and those obtained macroscopically and in a water bath post-OVH. The body weight, follicular size, sonographic visibility of the uterine wall layering, the histopathologic luteal phase, and the active/inactive status on histopathology had a significant effect on the uterine measurements (p < 0.05). It was not possible to describe the exact US features of the reproductive tract during the different histopathologic phases. In conclusion, ultrasonographic reference values for the normal female reproductive tract in cats were determined. The results of this study indicated that the ovaries and uterus were visible in cats regardless of reproductive status.