In vivo embryo development in bitches inseminated laparoscopically after ovulation time estimated based on a single progesterone determination.

Logistic and economical limitations are often the causes of dog owners not accurately monitoring the estrous cycle and the optimal insemination time. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo early embryonic development in bitches, after the analysis of sequential vaginal cytologies associated to single progesterone measurement and single laparoscopic insemination with high quality semen (fresh and with high spermatozoa concentration) or low-quality semen (frozen/thawed and with low spermatozoa concentration) at 48 h post- ovulation time predicted on a single progesterone measurement. Ten bitches were inseminated with 250 x 106 fresh spermatozoa (80% motility), and ten with 80 x 106 frozen/thawed spermatozoa (60% motility) in the cranial part of each uterine horn. Seven days later, ovariohysterectomy was performed and the oviducts and uterine horns and body were flushed to recover embryos and unfertilized oocytes. In 80% of the bitches inseminated with fresh and 50% of bitches inseminated with frozen/thawed semen, embryos at 2 to 8 cells stage were recovered mostly from the, oviducts. This study indicates that pregnancies can be obtained with a single laparoscopic intrauterine insemination after single serum progesterone measurement, although with a low number of embryos. This result should be taken into account in case economic or logistic restrictions that affect the possibility of owners to plan an accurate monitoring of the optimal breeding time using fresh and frozen semen.

Administração de toxina botulínica A e a orquiectomia no tratamento da hiperplasia prostática benigna do cão / Botulinum toxin A administration and orchiectomy in the treatment of canine benign prostatic hyperplasia

A fisiopatologia da hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) não está totalmente compreendida, no entanto, a diidrotestosterona é o principal hormônio envolvido. Recentemente, o efeito da toxina botulínica A (TB-A) foi investigado, mostrando que esta induz atrofia do parênquima e redução do volume prostático. Com base nisso, este estudo teve como objetivos comparar os efeitos da administração da TB-A com a orquiectomia no tratamento da HPB, além de avaliar os efeitos da TB-A sobre a libido e qualidade do sêmen. Para tanto, 16 cães adultos foram submetidos à castração ou administração de 500U de TB-A, e avaliados durante 16 semanas. A orquiectomia mostrou-se um excelente tratamento, promovendo redução de 80% do volume prostático. Aplicação da TB-A não ocasionou alterações na libido, ereção ou qualidade e características seminais. Por outro lado, reduziu significamente o volume da próstata. Os resultados sugerem que a administração intraprostática de TB-A é um tratamento alternativo efetivo e sem efeitos colaterais para cães destinados a programas de reprodução. No entanto, esta terapia apresenta reduções inferiores do volume prostático, quando comparada com a orquiectomia.

The pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not completely known, however, dihydrotestosterone is a hormone involved in enlargement of the prostate. Recently, the effect of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) was investigated and has shown to induce atrophy of the gland. Based on that, the aims of this study were to compare the effects of administration of BT-A with orchiectomy in the treatment of BPH, in addition to assessing the effects of BT-A on libido and semen quality. Therefore, 16 sexually intact male dogs were submitted to orchiectomy or administration of 500U BT-A, and evaluated for 16 weeks. Orchiectomy presented excellent results, reducing the prostate volume up to 80%. Administration of BT-A did not interfered on libido, erection or semen characteristics. On the other hand, reduced significantly the prostate volume. The results suggest that intraprostatic injection of BT-A is an effective alternative treatment without adverse effects for valuable breeding dogs with BPH. However, this therapy showed lower reduction of prostate volume when compared to orchiectomy.

Semen parameters and seminal plasma protein and biochemical profiles of dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia after botulinum toxin type A intraprostatic injection / Parâmetros seminais e perfis bioquímicos e proteicos do plasma seminal de cães com hyperplasia prostática benigna após a administração intra-prostática de toxina botulínica tipo A

This study aimed to determine the effects of different concentrations of botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) on semen parameters, and seminal plasma biochemical and protein profiles of dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Eighteen sexually intact male dogs with BPH were randomly divided in three groups, and received an intraprostatic injection of saline solution (control group - CG), 250UI (GI) or 500UI (GII) of BT-A under transabdominal ultrasound guidance. Semen was collected at baseline, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Semen parameters were determined and seminal plasma pH, total protein (TP), total chlorides (TC), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) concentrations were assessed. One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrilamide gel eletrophoresis (SDS- PAGE) was performed to determine seminal plasma protein profile. Sperm parameters and seminal plasma pH, TP, TC, Ca and K mean values did not change significantly at any time point and among treated groups (P>0.05). The SDS-PAGE analysis of the pooled fractions identified 31 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 3.9 to 106.2kDA in all treatment groups during the entire evaluation period. Regardless the used dose, intraprostatic BT-A injection do not alter semen parameters and seminal plasma biochemical and protein profiles of dogs with BPH.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a ação de diferentes concentrações de toxina botulínica tipo A (TB-A) sobre os parâmetros seminais, perfis bioquímicos e proteicos do plasma seminal de cães com hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB). Dezoito cães hígidos, não orquiectomizados com HPB foram divididos em três grupos, os quais foram submetidos à injeção intra-prostática de solução salina (grupo controle - GC), 250UI (GI) ou 500UI (GII) de TB-A. Amostras seminais foram coletadas previamente aos tratamentos e após 2, 4 e 8 semanas. Os parâmetros seminais assim como os valores de pH e concentrações de proteínas totais (TP), cloretos totais (CT), cálcio (Ca), potássio (K), sódio (Na) do plasma seminal foram mensurados após as coletas. O perfil proteico do fluido prostático foi estabelecido por meio de eletroforese SDS-PAGE. Não foram constatadas diferenças significativas quanto aos parâmetros espermáticos e perfil bioquímico do plasma seminal intragrupos e intergrupos (P>0,05). À SDS-PAGE foram identificadas 31 bandas proteicas com pesos moleculares de 3,9 a 106,2kDA, em todos os tratamentos e durante todo o período de avaliação. Dessa forma, concluiu-se que, independentemente da dose utilizada, a injeção intra-prostática de TB-A não altera os parâmetros seminais, assim como os perfis bioquímico e proteico do plasma seminal de cães com HPB.

Intra-prostatic injection of botulinum toxin type A in treatment of dogs with spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common, naturally developing, age-related condition in dogs. The pathogenesis of BPH is not completely known; however, DHT is a hormone involved in enlargement of the prostate. Recently, the effect of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) was investigated in the rat and human prostate and has shown to induce atrophy of the gland on the canine prostate. This study investigated the effect of BT-A in the canine prostate and on the semen. Eight sexually intact male dogs with BPH (detected radiographically and ultrasonographically), and with clinical signs of BPH (e.g. hematuria or tenesmus) were used. Each lobe of the prostate received an injection of 125 U of BT-A with one-needle pass under transabdominal ultrasound guidance. The clinical results were evaluated at baseline and after treatment. No local complications or systemic adverse effects were reported. At 4 weeks, the mean prostate volume (PV) was not significantly changed after BT-A (from 17.70 ± 6.34 to 16.48 ± 5.98 cm(3)). At 8 weeks the PV had further decreased to 16.04 ± 5.80 cm(3), reaching its maximum effect, but that change was not significant. The results were maintained at 16 weeks. All dogs had normal libido, erection, and ejaculation during semen collection. No significant difference was observed in all seminal parameters. Results suggest that the administration of 250 U of BT-A do not contribute to PV reduction and do not adversely affect the semen quality of dogs with BPH.

Omentalização prostática em cães / Prostatic omentalisation in dogs

A próstata é a única glândula sexual nos cães e, embora seja encontrada em todos os mamíferos, sua importância clínica é maior no homem e nesta espécie animal devido à quantidade de afecções que os acometem. Diversas técnicas cirúrgicas têm sido utilizadas para o tratamento de cistos e abscessos prostáticos em cães, e há alguns anos foi relatado o primeiro uso da técnica de omentalização prostática para o tratamento de cistos e abscessos, com sucesso efetivo, e até o momento, não há informações de seu emprego no Brasil. Sendo assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a recuperação e período pós-operatório de animais submetidos a esta técnica, durante período de 2002 a 2004. Foram estudados 17 machos, sendo 11 com cistos prostáticos, 4 com abscesso e 2 com cisto paraprostático. Quinze se recuperaram sem complicações, enquanto um apresentou incontinência urinária por dois dias após a cirurgia. Um animal veio a óbito em decorrência de septicemia preexistente. A baixa incidência de complicações e o curto período de hospitalização fazem da omentalização a cirurgia de escolha para o tratamento de abscessos e cistos prostáticos em cães.

The prostate is the only acessory sex gland in the male dog and, although the prostate is found in all mammals, it has a great importance in men and dogs due to the frequency of disorders. Several techniques have been employed for the treatment of prostatic cysts and abscesses and, a few years ago, it was successfully described the use of prostatic omentalisation for this purpose; until now, there are no data about this surgery in Brazil. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the animal recovery, as well as the post operative period of dogs that underwent prostatic omentalisation, from 2002 to 2004. It was evaluated 11 dogs with prostatic cysts, 4 dogs with prostatic abscesses and 2 with paraprostatic cysts. Fifteen dogs had an uneventful recovery while one dog had a minor incontinence for two days. One dog died due to a previous long term sepsis. The low incidence of post operative complications and brief hospitalization period make omentalisation the surgery of choice for the treatment of prostatic cysts and abscess.