B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic examination assists male small ruminant fertilizing ability evaluation
Аннотация
Systematic evaluation of male reproductive capacity ensures fertility, enhancing the economics of small ruminant farms. The evaluation of semen quality via contemporary and objective laboratory techniques contributes to the assessment of sperm fertilizing ability, while in combination with the animals’ clinical examination, supports the prognosis of ram/buck fertility. B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic examination of male reproductive system can be applied in addition to clinical examination, since various non clinically identified pathological conditions adversely affect fertility. In the past 20 years, many researchers indicated a variable but notable correlation between seminal quality and B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic indices in small ruminants. The present review was aimed at providing updated knowledge on the prospect of applying B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic examination to assist ram and buck fertilizing ability evaluation.
Article Details
- Как цитировать
-
Ntemka, A., Tsakmakidis, I., & Kiossis, E. (2026). B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic examination assists male small ruminant fertilizing ability evaluation. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 77(2), 10417–10428. https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.41538
- Выпуск
- Том 77 № 2 (2026)
- Раздел
- Review Articles
Это произведение доступно по лицензии Creative Commons «Attribution-NonCommercial» («Атрибуция — Некоммерческое использование») 4.0 Всемирная.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
· Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
· Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
· Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (preferably in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Скачивания
Данные скачивания пока недоступны.
Библиографические ссылки
Abdelkhalek KG, Badawy ABA, Abdelnaby EA, Fathi M (2022) Relationship
Between Testicular Morphometry, Vascular Waveform
Pattern, Semen Picture, and Specific Serum Testosterone Levels
in Baladi bucks Approaching Puberty. J Adv Vet Res 12:573-581.
Ahmad N, England GCW, Noakes DE (2000) Ultrasonography of spontaneous
lesions of the genital system of three rams, and their influence
on semen quality. Vet Rec 146:10-15.
Ahmad Ν, Noakes DE (1995) A clinical and ultrasonographic study
of induced testicular and epididymal lesions in goats and a ram.
Anim Reprod 39:35-48.
Ahmadi B, Lau CPS, Giffin J, Santos N, Hahnel A, Raeside J, Christie
H, Bartlewski P (2012) Suitability of epididymal and testicular
ultrasonography and computerized image analysis for assessment
of current and future semen quality in the ram. Exp Biol Med
:186-193.
Aitken RJ and Baker MA (2004) Oxidative stress and male reproductive
biology. Reprod Fertil Dev 16:581-588.
Amman RP and Hammerstedt RH (1993) In vitro evaluation of sperm
quality: an opinion. J Androl 14:397-406.
Andrade AKG, Soares AT, Freitas FF, Silva SV, Pena-Alfaro CE, Batista
AM, Guerra MMP (2014) Testicular and epididymal ultrasonography
in Santa Inês lambs raised in Brazil. Anim Reprod 11:110-118.
Austin CR (1985) Sperm maturation in the male and female genital
tracts. In Biology of Fertilization: Biology of the Sperm, edited by
CB Metz and A Monroy. Orlando Academic Press.
Balci A, Karazincir S, Gorur S, Sumbas H, Egilmez E, Inandi T (2008)
Long-term effect of varicocele repair on intratesticular arterial resistance
index. J Clin Ultrasound 36:148-152.
Basioura A, Brellou GD, Tsakmakidis I, Vlemmas I, Boscos CM, Giadinis
N (2022) Varicocele in an Adult Ram: Histopathological Examination
and Sperm Quality Evaluation. Veterinary Sciences 9:86.
Batissaco L, Celeghini ECC, Pinaffi FLV, de Oliveira BMM, de Andrade
AFC, Recalde ECS, Fernandes CB (2013) Correlations between
testicular hemodynamic and sperm characteristics in rams. Braz J
Vet Res Anim Sci 50: 384-395.
Bedford JM and Hoskins DD (1990) The mammalian spermatozoon:
morphology, biochemistry and physiology. In Marshall’s Physiology
of Reproduction: Reproduction in the Male, 4th ed., G E Lamming.
New York: Churchill Livingstone.
Boundy T (1992) Routine ram examination. In Pract. 14:219-228.
Brooks DE (1990) Biochemistry of the male accessory glands. In Marshall’s
Physiology of Reproduction: Reproduction in the Male, 4th
ed., GE Lamming. New York: Churchill Livingstone.
Bruere AN and West DW (1993) The Sheep: Health, Disease & Production.
Foundation for Veterinary Continuing Education of the New
Zealand Veterinary Association: Palmerston North, New Zealand,
pp 397.
Camela ESC, Nociti RP, Santos VJC, Macente BI, Maciel GS, Feliciano
MAR, Vicente WRR, Gill I, Bartlewski PM, Oliveira MEF
(2017) Ultrasonographic characteristics of accessory sex glands and
spectral Doppler indices of the internal iliac arteries in peri- and
post-pubertal Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate. Anim
Reprod Sci 184:29-35.
Camela ESC, Nociti RP, Santos VJC, Macente BI, Murawski M, Vicente
WRR, Bartlewski PM, Oliveira MEF (2019) Changes in testicular
size, echotexture, and arterial blood flow associated with the attainment
of puberty in Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate.
Reprod Dom Anim 54:131-137.
Campbell JR, Kenealy MD, Campbell KL (2003) Animal Sciences:
The Biology, Care, and Production of Domestic Animals, 4th ed.,
McGraw-Hill: New York, USA.
Carvajal-Serna M, Miguel-Jiménez S, Pérez-Pe R, Casao A (2022)
Testicular Ultrasound Analysis as a Predictive Tool of Ram Sperm
Quality. Biology 11:261.
Chella L, Kunene N, Lehloenya K (2017) A comparative study on the
quality of semen from Zulu rams at various ages and during different
seasons in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Small Rumin Res
:104-109.
Chandolia RK, Bartlewski PM, Omeke BC, Beard AP, Rawlings NC,
Pierson RA (1997) Ultrasonography of the developing reproductive
tract in ram lambs: effects of a GnRH agonist. Theriogenology
:99-117.
Cook JL and Dewbury K (2000) The changes seen on high-resolution
ultrasound in orchitis. Clin Radiol 55:13-18.
D’Alessandro AG and Martemucci G (2003) Evaluation of seasonal
variations of semen freezability in Leccese ram. Anim Reprod Sci
:93-102.
Davies Morel MCG (2008) Equine Reproductive Physiology, Breeding
and Stud Management, 3rd ed., Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
De Vries A, Bliznyuk N, Pinedo P (2023) Invited Review: Examples
and opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) in dairy farms.
Applied Anim Sci 39:14-22.
Dos Santos Ribeiro DL, Dos Santos LS, de França IG, Pereira HG,
de Sousa Lima J, Miranda BDB, de Car-valho-Neta AV, de Souza
Torres-Júnior JR (2020) The use of Doppler ultrasound as a potential fertility predictor in male goats. Turkish J Vet Anim Sci
:1115-1124.
El-Kon II (2004) Relationship Between Semen Characteristics and
Colour Doppler Ultrasound Measures of Testicular Blood Flow in
Bucks. Kafrelsheikh Vet Med J 2:209-221.
Esmaeili V, Shahverdi AH, Alizadeh AR, Alipour H, Chehrazi M (2014)
Saturated, omega‐6 and omega‐3 dietary fatty acid effects on the
characteristics of fresh, frozen-thawed semen and blood parameters
in rams. Andrologia 46:42-49.
Farquharson B (2009) A whole farm approach to planned animal health
and production for sheep clients in Australia. Small Rumin Res
:26-29.
Fendel H and Gans A (1993) Auswertung von Dopplerkurven. In: Sohn
C, Stolz W, Bastirt G (Hrsg.): Dopplersonographie in der Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, pp 15-27.
Fernandez M, Giráldez FJ, Frutos P, Lavı́n P, Mantecon AR (2004) Effect
of undegradable protein supply on testicular size, spermiogram
parameters and sexual behavior of mature Assaf rams. Theriogenology
:299-310.
Fournier-Delpech S and Thibault C (1991) Acquisition de la fécondance
du spermatozoïde: maturation épididymaire, glandes annexes et
capacitation. La reproduction chez les mammifères et l’ homme.
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, pp 251-271.
Ganter M (2008) Veterinary consultancy and health schemes in sheep:
experiences and reflections from a local German outlook. Small
Rumin Res 76:55-67.
Giffin JL, Bartlewski PM, Hahnel AC (2014) Correlations among ultrasonographic
and microscopic characteristics of prepubescent ram
lamb testes. Exp Biol Med 239:1606-1618.
Gillan L, Evans G, Maxwell WMC (2005) Flow cytometric evaluation
of sperm parameters in relation to fertility potential., Theriogenology
:445-457.
Ginther OJ and Utt MD (2004) Doppler ultrasound in equine reproduction:
principles, techniques, and potential., J Equine Vet Sci
:516-526.
Gosling RG and King DH (1975) Ultrasound angiology. In: Harcus
AW, Adamson L: Arteries and Veins. Churchill Livingston, Edinburgh-
London-New York, pp 61-98.
Gouletsou PG, Amiridis GS, Cripps PJ, Lainas T, Deligiannis K, Saratsis
P, Fthenakis GC (2003) Ultrasonographic appearance of clinically
healthy testicles and epididymides of rams. Theriogenology
:1959-1972.
Gouletsou PG (2017) Ultrasonographic examination of the scrotal contents
in rams. Small Rumin Res 152:100-106.
Hassan MR, Pervage S, Ershaduzzaman M, Talukder MAI (2009) Influence
of age on the spermiogramic parameters of native sheep. J
Bangladesh Agri Uni 7:301-304.
Hedia MG, El-belely MS, Ismail ST, El-maaty AMA (2019) Monthly
changes in testicular blood flow dynamics and their association
with testicular volume, plasma steroid hormones profile and semen
characteristics in rams. Theriogenology 123:68-73.
Herwig R, Tosun K, Pinggera GM, Soelder E, Moeller KT, Pallwein
L, Frauscher F, Bartsch G, Wildt L, Illmensee K (2004) Tissue
perfusion essential for spermatogenesis and outcome of testicular
sperm extraction (TESE) for assisted reproduction. J Ass Reprod
Gen 21:175-180.
Holt C, Holt WV, Moore HDM, Reed HCB, Curnock RM (1997) Objectively
measured boar sperm motility parameters correlate with the
outcomes of on-farm inseminations: results of two fertility trials.
J Androl 18:312-323.
Jiménez-Rabadán P, Ramón M, García-Álvarez O, Maroto-Morales A,
Del Olmo E, Pérez-Guzmán MD, Bisbal A, Fernández-Santos MR,
Garde JJ, Soler AJ (2012) Effect of semen collection method (artificial
vagina vs. electroejaculation), extender and centrifugation
on post-thaw sperm quality of Blanca-Celtibérica buck ejaculates.
Anim Reprod Sci 132:88-95.
Karaca F, Aksoy M, Kaya A, Ataman MB, Tekeli T (1999) Spermatic
granuloma in the ram: Diagnosis by ultrasonography and semen
characteristics. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 40:402-406.
Kerns K, Keller A, Pascual IR (2022) Incorporating AI (Artificial Intelligence)
into Boar Semen AI (Artificial Insemination). Anim
Reprod Sci 247:107111.
König EH and Liebich HG (2004) Veterinary anatomy of domestic
mammals. Textbook and colour atlas. Schattauer GmbH, Stuttgart,
Germany, pp 388-389.
Materka A and Strzelecki M (1998) Texture analysis methods-A review.
Technical University of Lodz, Institute of Electronics, COST B11
report, Brussels.
Maulik D (2005) Spectral Doppler sonography: waveform analysis and
hemodynamic interpretation. In: Maulik, D., Zalud, I. (Eds.), Doppler
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2nd ed., Springer,
Berlin, pp 35-56.
Moghaddam GH, Pourseif MM, Rafat SA (2012) Seasonal Variation
in Semen Quantity and Quality Traits of Iranian Crossbred Rams.
Slovak J Anim Sci 67-75.
Montes-Garrido R, Riesco MF, Anel-Lopez L, Neila-Montero M, Palacin-
Martinez C, Boixo JC, de Paz P, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Hassan
MAA, Anel L, Alvarez M (2022) Application of ultrasound technique
to evaluate the testicular function and its correlation to the
sperm quality after different collection frequency in rams. Front
Vet Sci 9:1035036.
Nailon HW (2010) Texture analysis methods of medical image characterization.
In Biomedical Imaging, Youxin Mao, Publisher: InTech,
Rijeka, Croatia, pp 75-100.
Ntemka A (2020) Effects of testicular blood flow changes on ram fertilizing
capacity. Thesis. Thessaloniki, Greece.
Ntemka A, Kiossis E, Boscos C, Theodoridis A, Tsakmakidis IA (2019)
Impact of old age and season on Chios ram semen quality. Small
Rumin Res 178:15-17.
Ntemka A, Kiossis E, Boscos C, Theodoridis A, Patsikas M, Tsakmakidis
I (2021) Chios ram testicular blood flow and echo-texture
changes depending on age, season and ejaculation process. Pol J
Vet Sci 24:579-587.
Ntemka A, Kiossis E, Boscos C, Theodoridis A, Kourousekos G, Tsakmakidis
I (2018) Effects of testicular hemodynamic and echogenicity
changes on ram semen characteristics. Reprod Dom Anim 53:50-55.
Palacin-Martinez C, Alvarez M, Montes-Garrido R, Neila-Montero M,
Anel-Lopez L, de Paz P, Anel L, Riesco MF (2022) Frequency of semen
collection affects ram sperm cryoresistance. Animals 12:1492.
Pierson RA and Adams GP (1995) Computer-Assisted Image Analysis,
Diagnostic Ultrasonography and Ovulation Induction: Strange
Bedfellows. Theriogenology 43:105-112.
Pintado B, De La Fuente J, Roldan ER (2000) Permeability of boar
and bull spermatozoa to the nucleic acid stains propidium iodide
or Hoechst 33258, or to eosin: accuracy in the assessment of cell
viability. J Reprod Fertil 118:145-152.
Pozor MA (2007) Evaluation of testicular vasculature in stallions. Clin
Tech Equine Pract 6:271-277.
Pozor MA and McDonnell SM (2004) Color Doppler ultrasound evaluation
of testicular blood flow in stallions. Theriogenology 61:799-
Ribeiro S, Quirino CR, Junior AB, Pacheco A (2017) Biometry and
ultrasound evaluation of testicles and accessory glands in Santa
Ines rams. R Bras Zootec 46:317-323.
Rodriguez MGK, Vázquez MI, Giriboni J, Fila D, Ungerfeld R (2023)
Semen collection and ejaculation trigger changes in the blood flow
of the reproductive system in rams. Trop Anim Health Prod 55:318.
Rodríguez-Martínez H (2003) Laboratory semen assessment and prediction
of fertility: Still utopia? Reprod Dom Anim 38:312-318.
Selvaraju S, Sivasubramani T, Raghavendra BS, Raju P, Rao SBN,
Dineshkumar D, Ravindra JP (2012) Effect of dietary energy on seminal
plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), serum IGF-I and
testosterone levels, semen quality and fertility in adult rams. Theriogenology
:646-655.
Shahat AM, Thundathil JC, Kastelic JP (2022) Melatonin improves
testicular hemodynamics and sperm quality in rams subjected to
mild testicular heat stress. Theriogenology 188:163-169.
Stuart B, Drumm J, Fitzgerald DE, Duignan NM (1980) Fetal blood
velocity waveforms in normal pregnancy. Brit J Obstet Gynecol
:780-785.
Themistokleous KS, Sakellariou N, Kiossis E (2022) A deep learning
algorithm predicts milk yield and production stage of dairy cows
utilizing ultrasound echotexture analysis of the mammary gland.
Comput Electron Agric 198:106992.
Tsakmakidis IA (2010) Ram semen evaluation: Development and efficiency
of modern techniques. Small Rumin Res 92:126-130.
Turner OR (2007) Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management of Testicular
Degeneration in Stallions. Clin Tech Equine Pract 4:278-284.
Ülker H, Kanter M, Gökdal Ö, Aygün T, Karakuş F, Sakarya ME, de
Avila MD, Reeves JJ (2005) Testicular development, ultrasonographic and histological appearance of the testis in ram lambs immunized
against recombinant LHRH fusion proteins. Anim Reprod
Sci 86:205-219.
Urt MAG, Bakarji EWB, Faria FJC, Santos EF, Costa DS (2018) Lack
of Relationship between Testicular Echotexture and Seminal Characteristics
in Adult Texel Rams. Agric Sci 9:936-946.
Van Camp SD (1997) Common causes of infertility in the bull. Vet Clin
North Am Food Anim 13:203-232.
Velickovic LJ and Stefanovic V (2014) Hypoxia and spermatogenesis.
Int Urol Nephrol 46:887-894.
Vencato J, Romagnoli S, Stelletta C (2014) Trans-scrotal ultrasonography
and testicular fine-needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation
of ram sperm production. Small Rumin Res 120:112-115.
Waterhouse KE, Haugan T, Kommisrud E, Tverdal A, Flatberg G, Farstad
W, De Angelis PM (2006) Sperm DNA damage is related to field
fertility of semen from young Norwegian Red bulls. Reproduction,
Fertil Dev 18:781-788.
Yotov SA and Fasulkov IR (2020) Biometric Indicators, Testicular Parameters
and Semen Characteristics in Peripubertal and Post-pubertal
Pleven Blackhead Rams. Adv Anim Vet Sci 8:217-222.
