Pre- and Probiotics to Increase the Immune Power of Colostrum in Dogs

Wide differences in Ig concentration in canine colostrum have been reported. Thus, some litters can be at risk of passive immune transfer failure. Present study evaluated if supplementation with MOS, FOS, E. faecium and L. acidophilus along pregnancy increases colostrum quality. Twenty Great Dane bitches were divided into 4 groups. Control group (CG) received standard diet, only. Diet was supplemented with pre- and probiotics in other 3 study groups during: the last (1WG), last 2 (2WG), and last 4 (4WG) weeks of pregnancy, until parturition. Serum samples were collected at estrous (T0), supplementation beginning (T1), and parturition (T2). Colostrum was collected at C-section end. The IgG, IgM, and IgA were assayed on both matrices. In serum, IgG were higher at T0 than at parturition in all study groups and they significantly lowered from T0 to T1 in all groups. In colostrum, IgG and IgM were significantly higher in 4WG, while IgA already increased in 2WG group. Four-week pre- and probiotic supplementation resulted in the best immune properties of colostrum, as by the higher IgG, IgM, and IgA colostrum levels found in 4WG. Further studies would verify the exact mechanisms involved: pre-partum IgG mammary accumulation and B-cells GALT proliferation and mammary transfer. Further trials would verify whether these beneficial effects of pre- and probiotics on colostrum also lead to improved clinical conditions and immunological functions of newborns and puppies

Ejaculation effect on canine prostatic specific esterase serum concentration

Canine prostatic diseases are usually asymptomatic in their onset and often identified in advanced stages. Canine prostatic specific esterase (CPSE) represents an early serum marker for prostatic diseases, also in asymptomatic dogs. The present study aimed to identify the effects of ejaculation on serum CPSE. Twenty adult intact male dogs were enrolled. Blood samples were collected to measure CPSE concentrations before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 24 h post (T2) ejaculation. Data were compared within and between groups by ANOVA (p < 0.05). Dogs were divided in two equal groups: A (healthy: CPSE ≤ 52.3 ng/mL at T0) and B (suspected for prostatic disorders: CPSE > 52.3 ng/mL or diagnosed with symptoms of prostatic diseases: CPSE > 90 ng/mL). CPSE was shown to be statistically higher in group B than A at any time point. In both groups, CPSE showed a significant increase at T1, and no significant differences between T0 and T2. This study demonstrates a definite effect of ejaculation on CPSE concentration. Twenty-four hours post-ejaculation, CPSE returns to basal values. Such physiological effects of ejaculation should be considered when planning analyses of CPSE concentrations, i.e., by respecting a proper sexual rest

Chemical castration by intra-testicular injection of acalcium chloride in alcohol solution in dogs

An affordable and effective non-surgical technique for achieving male dog sterility is needed to solve the problem of overpopulation. The efficacy of 20% calcium chloride in pure alcohol solution, injected into the testicular parenchyma, as a method for chemical castration, was evaluated. Twenty-one dogs of mixed breed, 4.7 ± 1.23 years old, 20 ± 5.84 kg of body weight, with good clinical conditions and normal reproductive parameters, were lightly sedated and injected into the dorsocranial portion of both testes with a solution of 20% calcium chloride dihyrdate in ethanol (95%). The dose injected corresponds with the testicular width (19–22 mm receive 0.8 ml; 23 and above 1 ml). Semen evaluation was performed by CASA (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis) system at day 30–60–90. The animals in the control group received a single bilateral intratesticular injection of 1 ml sterile saline solution (testicular width 23 mm and above). Forty-eight hours after the injection, dogs showed very light discomfort at palpation and testicular tumefaction, which regressed within 3 days. At day 30, testicular ultrasonography revealed bilateral more dense nodular lesions; prostatic volume and parenchyma were normal. Semen evaluation showed azoospermia at day 30–60 and 90. The sperm count was decreased significantly (p < 01) in all the CaCl2 treated dogs in comparison to saline solution control animals. At day 90 testicles were shrunk at palpation. An intratesticular injection of 20% calcium chloride in pure alcohol solution, as a method for chemical castration, was effective and economical for the sterilization of male dogs. It is free from pain and chronic stress and will contribute to a simple alternative method to surgical castration. The dogs of this study are under evaluation to study this solution long term effect (1 year)

Ejaculation effect on blood testosterone and prostatic pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound in dogs

Local vessels ultrasonography evaluates prostatic physio-pathologic states. Testosterone promotes tissue and vascular growth. Knowing variables on prostatic vasculature is crucial to correctly apply Pulsed-Wave exam. The study aims to assess how ejaculation and blood testosterone affect Pulsed-Wave indexes. Serial blood testosterone dosages and Pulsed-Wave exams were performed in 20 dogs, immediately before (T0) and after (T1) ejaculation and 6&nbsp;hr later (T2). Arteria prostatica cranialis, Arteriola capsularis, Arteriola trabecularis and Arteriola parenchimalis were evaluated and mean Pulsatility and Resistivity Index, Systolic-Peak, End-Diastolic and Mean Velocity calculated. Data were grouped by time and vessel (ANOVA, p&nbsp;≤&nbsp;0.05). At T1, Resistivity Index significantly lowered in A.&nbsp;prostatica&nbsp;cranialis, A.&nbsp;trabecularis and A.&nbsp;parenchimalis but grew in A.&nbsp;capsularis; Pulsatility Index had the same pattern, but not significant in A.&nbsp;parenchimalis; Systolic Peak Velocity, End-Diastolic Velocity, Mean Velocity significantly rose in A.&nbsp;capsularis and A.&nbsp;trabecularis. No indexes differed at T0 and T2. Testosterone did not differ at T0 (10.93&nbsp;±&nbsp;7.05&nbsp;ng/ml), T1 (12.71&nbsp;±&nbsp;7.29) and T2 (10.54&nbsp;±&nbsp;6.63). Results stated the risen prostatic vascular flow postejaculation, affecting Pulsed-Wave. Due to semi-rigid capsule, impairing vasodilation of other vessels, only A.&nbsp;capsularis indexes increased. Intimal cushions of A.&nbsp;prostatica cranialis kept velocities fixed; A.&nbsp;capsularis and A.&nbsp;trabecularis lack of intimal cushions, thus velocities grew. In A.&nbsp;parenchimalis, precapillary sphincters opening allows increased flow redistribution in vasodilated parenchymal bed, keeping velocities fixed. As testosterone, not affected by ejaculation, did not peak, vascular changes are not due to testosterone itself. These physiological effects of ejaculation suggest proper sexual rest before Pulsed-Wave exam planned to explore suspected prostatic neovascularization

Therapeutic ultrasound as a potential male dog contraceptive:comparison of application protocols

An ideal contraceptive for male dogs should be 100% efficient, irreversible, inexpensive and with no side effects. Ultrasound was used as a male contraceptive in several species, including dogs. Studies are needed to determine minimal number of treatments, interval between treatments, part of testes that requires treatment, frequency or power of ultrasonic wave exposure and many more need to be investigated before its application in practice. A previous study concluded that three treatments of 5 min/treatment per day (2.5 cm2 transducer, 1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm2) are ineffective. In this trial, effects of two testicular ultrasound exposure protocols (differing in ultrasound treatment length and number of applications) on testicular size, consistency and volume, and sperm concentration and motility were evaluated. Twenty dogs were divided in two equal groups- A and B. All subjects were exposed to 1.5 Wcm2 of ultrasound on each testicle using Vetrison Portable ultrasound (Physiomed Elektromedizin AG, Germany; 2.5 cm2 transducer). Dogs in group-A received ultrasound for 5 min on alternate days for one week and dogs in group-B received ultrasound for 15 min inutes twice a day on alternate days. Sperm concentrations and motility evaluations were made before and 25 days after the end of treatments. Length and testicular width were echographically measured to calculate the volume. Semen collected was examined by using an integrated visual optical system for semen analysis for sperm concentration and for percentage of total and progressively motile sperms. All dogs were castrated at day 40 and gonads were collected for histological examination. Data concerning testicular volume were statistically analyzed with ‘Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank sum’ test (p £ 0.05); semen evaluation was statistically analyzed with ANOVA test (p £ 0.01). After ultrasound treatment, all dogs showed no local or systemic adverse effects, and no pain or skin burns. However, dogs in group A exhibited marked tenderness of testicles at palpation. Group A dogs showed a statistically significant reduction of the volume of both testis (left 9.6 ± 3.7 vs. 5.5 ± 3.6/cm3; right 9.6 ± 2.7 vs. 3.6 ± 1.4/cm3; p £ 0.05) while no reduction in testicular volume was noticed in dogs in group (left: 9.1 ± 1.4 vs. 9.2 ± 1.6/cm3; right: 9.3 ± 1.5 vs. 9.4 ± 1.7/cm3). Before the US treatment, mean volume of ejaculates was 10 ± 3.5 ml, sperm concentration was 300.8 ± 24.8 · 106/ml with an average percentage of total and progressive motile sperms of 88.2 ± 4.5 and 59.3 ± 5.3, respectively. After the ultrasound treatment, a zero sperm count was noticed in group A dogs (p £ 0.01), and no variation in B group. Histology evaluation showed interstitial fibrosis, widespread tubular atrophy and hyalinization of the basement membranes in group-A dogs and no changes were observed in group-B dogs. Our results demonstrated that ultrasound treatment for 5 min on alternate days for one week leads to irreversible testis damage consistent with permanent sterilization, while reducing the number of applicationseven with a longer treatment was ineffective on dog fertilit