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Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) results of frozen thawed bull semen using three different chambers. Sixty bull frozen semen samples were thawed (37°C; 30 sec), extended in PBS (30×106 spermatozoa/mL; 37°C) and incubated (37°C; 2 min). Each semen sample was analyzed by CASA [total motility, progressive (pro)/ non-progressive/rapid/medium/slow movement spermatozoa, VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, BCF, LIN, STR, WOB and hyperactive spermatozoa] using three different chambers: a Makler® chamber (MC; 10 μm); a Leja 4 chamber slide (LC; 20 μm); and a Glass slide covered with a coverslip (GSC; 10.3 μm). The Makler chamber gave higher values compared to both the LC and GSC for almost all examined parameters. No systematic effect was evident between LC and GSC for VCL, VSL, VAP, LIN, STR, WOB, ALH, and BCF. Method agreement between MC and LC was generally moderate, between MC and GSC poor and between LC and GSC moderate to good. In general, narrower limits of agreement were found in samples with lower values. In conclusion, the CASA outcomes could be influenced by the analysis chambers. This finding should be taken into consideration when comparing results from different laboratories.

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Authors and Affiliations

A. Basioura
G. Tsousis
C. Boscos
A. Lymberopoulos
I. Tsakmakidis
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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of age, season and ejaculation on ram testicular blood flow and echotexture. The survey was conducted biweekly on 7 Chios rams for one year, including breeding and non-breeding periods. The rams were divided into 2 age groups: 3 rams 2-6 years old (mature) and 4 rams 9-13 years old (old). Hemodynamic indices [Pulsatility index (PI), Resistive index (RI), End-diastolic velocity (EDV), testicular artery Diameter (D), Time-averaged maximum velocity (TAVM), Blood flow volume (BFV)] and echotexture parameters [Mean value (MV), Contrast (Con), Gray value distribution (GVD), Run length distribution (RunLD), Long run emphasis (LRunEm), Entropy (Ent), Correlation (Cor), Standard deviation (StD), Gray variance (GV) and Gradient mean value (GMV)] were evaluated in each testis before and after ejaculation. Ejaculation did not affect testes blood flow or echotexture (p>0.05). PI and RI were higher in the breeding period compared to the non-breeding period, for both testes (p<0.001). Left testis GV and Cor before ejaculation were lower (p=0.01) and higher (p=0.03), respectively, in the breeding compared to the non-breeding period. Left testis D (p=0.005) and BFV (p<0.001) were higher in old compared to mature rams after ejaculation. Right testis Con (p=0.03) and Cor (p=0.05) before ejaculation were higher in old rams, whereas right testis Ent after ejaculation was higher in mature rams (p=0.05). In conclusion, testicular blood flow and echotexture are affected by season and ram age, but not by ejaculation.
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Authors and Affiliations

A. Ntemka
1
E. Kiossis
1
C. Boscos
1
A. Theodoridis
2
M. Patsikas
3
I. Tsakmakidis
1

  1. Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Voutyra 11, 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece
  2. Laboratory of Animal Production Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 410, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
  3. Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging, Clinic of Companion Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Voutyra 11, 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece

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