Correlation between sperm parameters and circulating thyroid hormones and testosterone concentrations in Labrador Retriever dog

Thyroid hormones physiologically regulate the semen quality, by altering testosterone concentrations, and different seminal parameters, as well as sperm motility, viability and semen volume. Serum thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and testosterone (T) concentrations were measured in 26 adult Labrador Retriever dogs (n. 20 normospermic and n. 6 azoospermic groups), aged 3 ± 0.5 years old, to determine their specific references, by taking into account the related conventional and kinematic sperm parameters and clinical ultrasound evaluations. The mean values of T4, fT4, TSH and T concentrations, as soon as those of sperm parameters and clinical evaluations of normospermic group were in line with dog's physiological range of literature data. Normospermic group showed significant correlations between T4 and T (r = −0.681; p < .01), sperm progressive motility (%) (r = −0.623; p < .01), and sperm non-progressive motility (%) (r = 0.625; p < .02). The azoospermic group showed higher T4, fT4, TSH and lower T concentrations, compared to normospermic group, and a positive correlation between T4 and T (r = 0.8548; p < .046). The use of breed-specific hormonal ranges and sperm parameters will improve the knowledge of their interaction in Labrador Retriever dogs, adding a new segment of scientific literature.Highlights Thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and testosterone (T) concentrations were measured in male dogs. Conventional and kinematic sperm parameters were also evaluated. Dogs were divided in 20 normospermic and n. 6 azoospermic Labrador Retrivers. Azoospermic group showed higher values of T4, fT4, TSH and lower values of T compared to normospermic Use of breed-specific hormonal ranges and sperm parameters will improve the knowledge of scientific literature

Percutaneous mitral valve repair: The last chance for symptoms improvement in advanced refractory chronic heart failure?

Background The role of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) in patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) and functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is unclear. Methods Seventy-five consecutive patients with FMR grade&nbsp;≥&nbsp;3&nbsp;+ and severe HF symptoms despite optimal medical therapy and resynchronization therapy underwent PMVR with the MitraClip system (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL, USA) at 3 centers. Clinical evaluation, echocardiography and pro-BNP measurement were performed at baseline and at 6-month. Results Mean age was 67&nbsp;±&nbsp;11&nbsp;years, logistic EuroSCORE&nbsp;=&nbsp;23&nbsp;±&nbsp;18%, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) 30&nbsp;±&nbsp;9%. In 6 patients (8%) PMVR was performed as a bridge to heart transplant; many patients were dependent from iv diuretics and/or inotropes. Rate of serious adverse in-hospital events was 1.3% (1 patient who died after conversion to cardiac surgery). Sixty-three patients (84%) were discharged with MR&nbsp;≤&nbsp;2&nbsp;+. At 6-month, 4 patients died (5%), 80% had MR&nbsp;≤&nbsp;2&nbsp;+ and 75% were in New York Heart Association class ≤&nbsp;II. Median pro-BNP decreased from 4395&nbsp;pg/ml to 2594&nbsp;pg/ml (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.04). There were no significant changes in LV end-diastolic volume (222&nbsp;±&nbsp;75&nbsp;ml vs. 217&nbsp;±&nbsp;79, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.19), end-systolic volume (LVESV, 154&nbsp;±&nbsp;66&nbsp;ml vs. 156&nbsp;±&nbsp;69, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.54) and LVEF (30&nbsp;±&nbsp;9% vs. 30&nbsp;±&nbsp;12%, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.86). Significant reverse remodeling (reduction of LVESV&nbsp;≥&nbsp;10%) was observed in 25%, without apparent association with baseline characteristics. The number of hospitalizations for HF in comparison with the 6&nbsp;months before PMVR were reduced from 1.1&nbsp;±&nbsp;0.8 to 0.3&nbsp;±&nbsp;0.6 (p&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001). Conclusions In extreme risk HF patients with FMR, PMVR improved symptoms and reduced re-hospitalization and pro-BNP levels at 6&nbsp;months, despite the lack of LV reverse remodeling