Ultrasonographic, Hormonal, Morphological and Morphometric Correlate Studies of Induced Testicular Pathology In West African Dwarf Goat Bucks.

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the significance of ultrasound in the early detection of testicular pathology in the West African Dwarf (WAD) buck; hormonal, morphological and morphometric studies were used as correlates. Twelve matured WAD bucks divided into two groups (of 6 per group); A—control, B — bucks with right testis spermatic cord ligated for four weeks were used for this study. Testicular ultrasound protocols were carried on the Longitudinal Planes (LP) and Transverse Planes (TP) on both testes. Blood samples were collected via the jugular vein twice a week for four weeks and assayed for testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulation Hormone (FSH) concentrations. The testes were harvested after four weeks and carefully separated from the epididymides for gross and histological studies. Results revealed that 24 hours post induction of testicular pathology, inflammation of the right testes of the group B bucks was detected by ultrasound as hypo-echoic (dark) regions covering about two-third of the entire testis while the non-ligated testes appeared mostly homogeneously greyish on the TP. By the end of the fourth week the entire ligated testes were inflamed and appeared hypo-echoic with some areas of fibrosis on the TP and LP. The LH and FSH concentrations increased while there were no significant changes in testosterone concentrations. There were marked reduction in testicular and epididymal weights and sizes in group B bucks. The group B bucks testes showed complete loss of testicular architecture while the Leydig cellswere intact. In conclusion, testicular ultrasound was valuable in the early detectionof the induced testicular pathology (which hormonal, morphological and morphometric studies confirmed), hence should be adopted as part of the BSE programme of the WAD buck.