EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION Equine vet. Educ. (2022) 34 (11) 607-614 doi: 10.1111/eve.13584
Image Article
Fractionated semen collection as a diagnostic tool for reproductive pathologies in stallions S. N. Oliveira†,* , E. A. B. de Araujo†
, L. F. M. C. Silva† and F. O. Papa†
†Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, FMVZ, S~
ao Paulo State University “J ulio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, Brazil; and ‡Department of
Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA *Corresponding author email:
sidneino@gmail.com
Keywords: horse; abnormalities contamination; haemospermia; pathologies; pyospermia
Summary The alterations found in the ejaculate of stallions, obtained through fractionated semen collection, may be used as a diagnostic tool for identifying the origin of the pathology. The occurrence of seminal vesiculitis, lacerations and urethral rents, bulbourethritis, and prostatitis may be accurately identified through the use of fractionated semen collection. However, because findings can at times be vague or misleading, if possible, one should pursue complimentary examinations for a definitive diagnosis. The clinical findings obtained through the fractionated semen collection should be reasonably interpreted by the veterinarian. Thus, we aimed to illustrate the findings obtained through fractionated semen collection in stallions with ejaculate alterations, which may allow the identification of the origin of pathological alterations.
Introduction
The stallion’s ejaculate is divided into three fractions (A, B and C), which are emitted in the form of jets (Oliveira et al., 2020; Varner et al., 1987). The fraction A of the equine ejaculate is the pre-sperm fraction, which is composed of the secretions from prostatic fluid and the bulbourethral glands, and contains little to no sperm (Oliveira et al., 2020; Varner et al., 1987). The fraction B is the sperm-rich fraction, which is composed mainly of the secretions from the testicles, epididymis and ampullae, with a minute contribution from the other accessory sex glands (Oliveira et al., 2020; Varner et al., 1987). The fraction C has low sperm concentration and is mainly composed of the secretions from the vesicular glands (Oliveira et al., 2020; Varner et al., 1987). A common abnormality in the stallion’s ejaculate is
pyospermia. Pyospermia is a condition caused by the presence of purulent material that may be accompanied by the presence of high numbers of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in the ejaculate, especially degenerated neutrophils, which may be detected macro or microscopic (McKinnon, 2013; Varner et al., 2000). The pyospermia is can occur in several pathologies of the reproductive tract such as orchitis, epididymitis, ampullitis, prostatitis, urethritis and seminal vesiculitis (McKinnon, 2013). Another possible clinical finding in the ejaculate is
haemospermia. The haemospermia is characterised by the presence of blood, which may result in a light or firm red coloration to the ejaculate (Andrade Jr et al., 2020; Turner
et al., 2016; Varner & Schlafer, 2015). A rosy ejaculate is indicative of minor presence of red blood cells, and this condition may not be detrimental to fertility, whereas a deep red ejaculate indicates the heavy presence of red blood cells which may cause subfertility or even infertility (McKinnon, 2013). The red blood cells may come from any part of the reproductive tract, such as the epididymis, ampullae, seminal vesicles, urethra, urethral process, glands or the external mucosa of the penis (Andrade Jr et al., 2020; Bedford et al., 2000). The occurrence of haemospermia and pyospermia may indicate pathologies in various anatomical structures which may require subsequent treatment (Turner, 2011). Another abnormal finding in the stallion’s ejaculate is
urospermia, which is characterised by the elimination of urine along with the ejaculate, that may affect the ejaculate’s colour and odour. The causes of urospermia are not well defined (Honorato et al., 2019; McKinnon, 2013). This condition may develop as an isolated issue or may be associated with other primary neurological disorders (Honorato et al., 2019). Urospermia may be secondary to fractures, osteomyelitis and neoplasia (Honorato et al., 2019). Some cases, however, are not associated with any specific pathological condition (Honorato et al., 2019). The alterations in the ejaculate may be diagnosed
through the examination of its appearance, odour and aspect (Varner et al., 2000). In addition to the macroscopic evaluation, other examinations such as cytology, culture and antibiogram of the ejaculate and analysis of the specific site of the inflammation may be performed (Varner et al., 2000). The ultrasonography may serve as a complementary
examination for abnormalities such as orchitis, epididymitis, ampullitis and seminal vesiculitis (McKinnon, 2013). Nevertheless, for seminal vesiculitis, it is not possible to reach the final diagnosis based solely on ultrasonography and rectal palpation (Oliveira et al., 2020; Varner et al., 2000). The endoscopy of seminal vesicles is another complementary examination for pathologies such as seminal vesiculitis, urethritis and urethral rents (McKinnon, 2013; Varner et al., 2000). Nonetheless, due to the high cost of the endoscope, this examination is usually restricted to large breeding centres, veterinary hospitals, colleges and veterinary research institutes. One alternative complementary examination that may indicate which structure of the reproductive tract of a stallion is affected is the fractionated semen collection (Varner et al., 1991; Tibary and Rodrıguez,
© 2021 EVJ Ltd , R. M. Hayashi†, V. R. Merenda‡
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