ECHOGRAPHIC RESEARCH ON HEALTHY DOGS AND DOGS WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA IN CONNECTION WITH THE BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF SPERMATOZOA

Ultrasound examinations of the prostate gland, testis and epididymis have been performed to diagnose benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs, and a search has been sought for changes in the basic spermatological parameters of the gametes. Ultrasound analyzes show that BPH leads to changes in testicular and prostatic echogenicity and the presence of one or more hypoechoic cystic structures. Sperm Computer Assay (CASA) proves that dogs with BPH have changes in the basic biological parameters of sperm, with a significantly increasing percentage of low-motile and static sperm at the expense of fast-moving ones. An important morphometric marker is the Head area index (µm²) of sperm. In dogs with BPH, the difference with healthy dogs was significantly demonstrated and the Head area was 20.89 ± 2.34, while in healthy dogs this value was 29.11 ± 6.21 (p <0.001).