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

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) in Imaging of the Reproductive System in Dogs: A Literature Review

The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been widely reported for reproductive imaging in humans and animals. This review aims to analyze the utility of CEUS in characterizing canine reproductive physiology and pathologies. In September 2022, a search for articles about CEUS in canine testicles, prostate, uterus, placenta, and mammary glands was conducted on PubMed and Scopus from 1990 to 2022, showing 36 total results. CEUS differentiated testicular abnormalities and neoplastic lesions, but it could not characterize tumors. In prostatic diseases, CEUS in dogs was widely studied in animal models for prostatic cancer treatment. In veterinary medicine, this diagnostic tool could distinguish prostatic adenocarcinomas. In ovaries, CEUS differentiated the follicular phases. In CEH-pyometra syndrome, it showed a different enhancement between endometrium and cysts, and highlighted angiogenesis. CEUS was shown to be safe in pregnant dogs and was able to assess normal and abnormal fetal–maternal blood flow and placental dysfunction. In normal mammary glands, CEUS showed vascularization only in diestrus, with differences between mammary glands. CEUS was not specific for neoplastic versus non-neoplastic masses and for benign tumors, except for complex carcinomas and neoplastic vascularization. Works on CEUS showed its usefulness in a wide spectrum of pathologies of this non-invasive, reliable diagnostic procedur

A global analysis of implants and replacements of pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

At the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency, non-urgent surgical procedures had to be deferred, but also emergencies were reduced. To assess the global trend of pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardiac-defibrillator (ICD) procedures performed in Italy before, during, and after the first COVID-19 emergency, all the Italian hospital discharge records related to PM/ICD procedures performed between 2012 and 2021, sent to the National Institute of Health, were reviewed. Compared to 2019, in 2020, there was a reduction of first PM implants (52,216 to 43,962, -16%; p &lt; 0.01), but not replacements (16,591 to 17,331, + 4%; p = 0.16). In particular, in April 2020, there was a drop of first implants (- 53,4% vs the average value of April 2018 and April 2019; p &lt; 0.01), while the reduction of replacements was less evident (-32.6%; p = NS). In 2021, PM procedures increased to values similar to the pre-pandemic period. A reduction of ICD procedures was observed in 2020 (22,355, -7% toward 2019), mainly in April 2020 (- 46% vs April 2018/April 2019; p = 0.03). In 2021, the rate of ICD procedures increased (+ 14% toward 2020). A non-significant reduction of "urgent" procedures (complete atrioventricular block for PM and ventricular fibrillation for ICD), even in April 2020, was observed. In 2020, there was a reduction of first PM implants and ICDs, offset by increased activity in 2021. No decrease in PM replacements was observed, and the drop in "urgent" PM and ICD procedures was not statistically significant

Assessment of testicular stiffness in fertile dogs with shear wave elastography techniques: a pilot study

Ultrasound of the testes is important in the evaluation of breeding dogs, and recently advanced techniques such as Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) have been developed. This study focused on evaluation of normal testicular stiffness in healthy and fertile male dogs, employing both qualitative (2D-SWE) and quantitative (pSWE, 2D-SWE) techniques. Nineteen dogs of various medium-large breeds aged 3.39 ± 2.15 years, and with a history of successful reproduction were included after clinical, B-mode and Doppler ultrasound of testes and prostate, and semen macro and microscopic evaluations. pSWE involved square regions of interest (ROIs) placed at six different points in the testicular parenchyma, while 2D-SWE depicted stiffness with a color scale ranging from blue (soft) to red (stiff), allowing a subsequent quantification of stiffness by the application of 4 round ROIs. The results showed a mean Shear Wave Speed (SWS) of 2.15 ± 0.39 m/s using pSWE, with lower values above the mediastinum compared to below, and in the center of the testis compared to the cranial and caudal poles. 2D-SWE demonstrated a uniform blue pattern in the parenchyma, and a mean SWS of 1.65 ± 0.15 m/s. No significant differences were found between left and right testes, above and below the mediastinum, or among breeds. No correlations were observed between mean SWS and body condition score, age, testicular and prostatic volume. Weight was positively correlated with mean SWS only by 2D-SWE. By performing semen analysis and enrolling only healthy and fertile adult dogs, we ensured both structural and functional integrity of the testes. This pilot study represents a valuable baseline data for testicular stiffness by both pSWE and 2D-SWE with a Mindray US machine in medium-large sized healthy and fertile dogs, pointing out the potential role of SWE in the non-invasive fertility assessment and management of breeding dogs

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