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Breeding Soundness Exam: Male Dog 1071

structures within the endometrium are • A positive Brucella rapid slide agglutination correlate with fertility. Spectral morphology
abnormal at any stage of the estrous test (RAST) or tube agglutination test (TAT) may also correlate with fertility, as in other
VetBooks.ir hyperplasia. The presence of luminal fluid • Suspected vaginal abnormalities can be SUGGESTED READING
species.
cycle and may indicate cystic endometrial
should be followed by a more specific test,
such as agar gel immunodiffusion or culture.
in diestrus is also abnormal and indicates
mucometra or pyometra. Ovarian struc-
tures should coincide with the stage of the further evaluated by a vaginography or Johnston S, et al: Clinical approach to infertility
vaginoscopy.
in the bitch. In SD Johnston, et al. Canine and
estrous cycle. Follicles larger than 8 mm • Karyotyping should be performed on feline theriogenology, New York, 2001, Saunders,
are most likely anovulatory follicles. They females with abnormal external or internal pp 257-273.
may be significant if signs of prolonged genitalia, irregular estrous cycles, or failure to AUTHOR: Bronwyn Crane, DVM, MS, DACT
proestrus (p. 822) exist (estrogen exposure) cycle. EDITORS: Leah A. Cohn, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Mark S.
and may be estrogen-producing cysts. • Abnormal appearance of the uterus on Thompson, DVM, DABVP
During diestrus, the ovaries contain ultrasound can be followed with exploratory
corpora lutea and some small follicles. laparotomy, which allows for a thorough
During anestrus, the ovaries have only evaluation of the uterus, ovaries, and uterine
small follicles and may be difficult to tubes. A uterine biopsy and culture can also Procedures and Techniques
locate. be performed at this time. Uterine cytology
may also contribute to diagnosis of uterine
Postprocedure pathology.
Additional tests: • Doppler assessment of the hemodynamics
• An abnormal or unexpected progesterone or of the uterine artery correlates with uterine
vaginal cytologic analysis should be followed health and fertility. Specifically, resistivity
by serial tests every 2 days. index and pulsatility index negatively

Breeding Soundness Exam: Male Dog

Preparation: Important
Difficulty level: ♦♦ to anything that may have resulted in
Checkpoints thermal injury (fever) or trauma to the
Overview and Goal • One-week sexual rest recommended before penis or scrotum. Include all previous
Evaluate the physical and physiologic parameters a breeding soundness exam (BSE) medications, especially glucocorticoids,
of the breeding male. • It is recommended to fill out an evaluation anabolic steroids, chemotherapeutics,
form when performing a BSE because it anthelmintics, and antifungal agents.
Indications helps ensure all important points are covered ○ Obtain a thorough reproductive history,
• Before breeding, especially with a virgin male; and provides a valuable record. An evalua- including libido, presence of a tie at each
a male with a history of systemic disease; tion form is available from the Society for breeding, and the details for all bitches
or when the male has not been used for Theriogenology. bred. This would include their age and
breeding for several months parity, type of breeding management
• Less than 50% whelping rate Possible Complications and used, dates bred, method of pregnancy
• Prepurchase evaluation of a male intended Common Errors to Avoid diagnosis, whelping dates, and litter sizes.
for breeding • It is important to prevent thermal, mechani- The results from any previous semen evalu-
cal, or chemical injury to the semen after ations, cytologic evaluation, and cultures
Equipment, Anesthesia collection. should also be included.
• Scrotal calipers • A poor-quality semen sample, especially • Perform a general physical exam, noting any
• A semen collection vessel such as one with low sperm numbers, should be musculoskeletal pain that may affect mating
○ 15-mL centrifuge tube and plastic interpreted with caution, because it may be ability and potential hereditary or congenital
cone an incomplete ejaculate. Seminal alkaline defects. Chronic conditions such as obesity,
○ Sterile urine cup phosphatase (ALP) of epididymal origin skin disease, and endocrine disorders can
○ Whirl-Pak bag can be used for distinguishing between an also negatively impact fertility.
• Microscope incomplete ejaculate and true azoospermia. • Scrotal width should be measured with
• Morphology stain (eosin-nigrosin) and Normal ALP concentration of a complete calipers. This correlates with testicular volume
Romanowsky (Diff-Quik) stain for cytologic ejaculate is 5000-40,000 IU/L, whereas an and sperm production.
analysis incomplete ejaculate is typically < 1000 IU/L. • The testes and epididymides should be
• Hemocytometer and Unopette system for palpated for symmetry and consistency.
white blood cell (WBC) count Procedure The testes lie horizontally in the scrotum,
• Ultrasound • History with the tail of the epididymis at the caudal
○ Obtain a general health history, including pole; the body and head of the epididymis
Anticipated Time nutrition, vaccinations, systemic diseases, lie along the cranial-dorsal aspect. It is
30-90 minutes and previous illnesses with attention abnormal for the testes to be soft or hard,

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