Azoospermia in male dromedary: Clinical findings, testicular biopsy, serum follicle stimulating hormone and seminal biomarkers

Computer-assisted sperm analysis of the epididymal spermatozoa in dromedary camels suffering from penile and preputial pathological problems

Dromedary camels are the most vulnerable animals to penile and preputial pathology due to the aggressive nature of mating and injuries during transit, which could impair the semen quality. Hence, this study was performed to monitor the penile and preputial pathological conditions in male dromedary camels, as well as their impact on epididymal spermatozoa, by utilizing computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and correlation analysis with testosterone concentrations. A total of 60 male dromedary camels were examined for penile and preputial pathological problems. The camels were grouped based on the absence or presence of the pathology conditions: (i) camels with normal penis and prepuce, (ii) camels with balanoposthitis, (iii) camels with penile trauma, (iv) camels with prolapsed prepuce, (v) camels with phimosis, and (vi) camels with penile tumors. The results revealed that there were significant increases in sperm concentration (Conc., M/ml), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm/s), eat-cross frequency (BCF, Hz), and straightness (STR, VSL/VAP) of the epididymal tail semen in camels with prolapsed prepuce. There were increases in progressive motility (PR), VCL, straight line velocity (VSL, μm/s), average path velocity (VAP, μm/s), BCF, and STR in the sperms of the group with phimosis, but the differences were non-statistically significant. Furthermore, the CASA parameters of the epididymal tail semen in the group with penile tumor showed an increase in PR (%), VCL, VSL, VAP, BCF, and STR (%) compared to those in the group with normal penis and prepuce. However, the CASA parameters of the epididymal body in the group with penile tumor showed a significant increase in vitality, total motility (TM), non-progressive motility (NP), mean angular degree (MAD), linearity (LIN, VSL/VCL), VSL, amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, μm), VAP, BCF, and STR compared to those in the group with normal penis and prepuce. There were no discernible differences in testosterone concentrations among the groups. There was a negative correlation (p < 0.05, r = 0.411-0.459) between testosterone concentration and CASA parameters of the epididymal tail semen in camels with penile and preputial pathological conditions. In comparison, there were no discernible differences in correlation (p > 0.5, r = 0.074-0.360) between testosterone concentration and CASA parameters of the epididymal body and head semen in camels with penile and preputial pathology. In conclusion, the semen quality of male dromedary camels could be affected by the penile and preputial pathological problems, while the testosterone concentration was not affected.

Associations between ubiquitin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex steroid hormones in the failed to conceive female dromedary camels raised in hot climates

Background and Aim:

The reproductive management of female dromedary camels involves traditional implications that are widespread among desert camel raisers. Several subfertility clinical manifestations impede pregnancy and elongate the interval between parturitions. Ubiquitin is a novel-specific protein, referred to recently as a biomarker for reproductive performance in male and female mammals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between subfertility clinical status and the peripheral levels of ubiquitin versus follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, and estradiol.

Materials and Methods:

According to the clinical diagnoses, 80 female dromedaries admitted to the university clinic were categorized into six female groups suffering from endometritis (EN, 28; 35%), inactive ovaries (IO, 18; 22.5%), ovarian hydrobursitis (BU, 19; 23.75%), vaginal adhesions (VA, 7; 8.75%), salpingitis (SA, 4; 5%), and cervicitis (CE, 4; 5%). In addition, five normal fertile non-pregnant females served as controls (CONs). All animals underwent ultrasonography and blood sampling for hormone and ubiquitin determinations.

Results:

The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in ubiquitin in the CE (577.22 pg/mL) and VA (670.92 pg/mL) females. However, lower ubiquitin levels but still higher than the CON were noted in females with other symptoms (225.76, 425.79, 394.02, 414.96, and 393.92 pg/mL in the CON, BU, SA, IO, and EN, respectively). Concomitantly, the mean levels of FSH revealed a similar trend, showing higher (p < 0.05) levels in CE (2.79 mIU/mL) and VA (2.5 pg/mL) females. In contrast, no change was observed in FSH among other groups than CON (2.11, 2.17, 2.01, 2.24, and 2.13 mIU/mL in CON, BU, SA, IO, and EN, respectively). There was no difference in the progesterone levels among groups; however, estradiol-17ß levels significantly differed (p < 0.01), showing the highest level (629.15 pg/mL) in the SA group with no significant difference among other groups.

Conclusion:

Thus, ubiquitin could be used as a biomarker for genital tract inflammation in female camels raised in hot climates.

Aetiological analysis and diagnosis of reproductive disorders in male dromedary camels

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the aetiology and methods of diagnosing reproductive disorders in male dromedary camels. Male camel infertility manifests as one of three conditions: post-coital infertility (IG), inability to copulate (IC) and lack of sexual desire (LSD). IG is mainly a testicular disorder that is linked to a deteriorated seminogram, arrested spermatogenesis, Sertoli cell-only syndrome and testicular degeneration. For IG diagnosis, semen analysis, testicular biopsy and fine-needle aspiration are gold standards. Testicular ultrasonography was generally inefficient. High serum FSH was found in IG camels with oligo- and azoospermia, implying primary spermatogenesis defects. The testis-expressed protein (TEX101) and the epididymis-expressed protein (ECM1) are reliable biomarkers for distinguishing between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. IC manifests in two forms: phimosis (PHI) and erectile dysfunction (ED). PHI is frequently linked to preputial and penile pathologies, as well as leucocytosis, neutrophilia and elevated nitric oxide metabolites. The majority of camels with ED have normal genital organs, and the condition is associated with an increase in cardiac troponin I. LSD is a rare disorder brought on by hormonal imbalances, high temperatures, stress and debilitating diseases. In conclusion, IG diagnosis necessitates semen analysis, testicular biopsy or fine-needle aspiration, and FSH testing, whereas IC diagnosis requires preputial and penile examinations. Diagnostic aids include serum and seminal biomarkers.

Effect of Zinc, Selenium, and Vitamin E Administration on Semen Quality and Fertility of Male Dromedary Camels with Impotentia Generandi

This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and vitamin E (Vit E) administration on semen quality and fertility in male dromedary camels with impotentia generandi (IG, post-coital infertility). Factors that may affect response to treatment were investigated. Thirty-three IG-affected and five fertile camels were included. Case history was obtained, and breeding sound examination was performed. Semen was collected using electroejaculation. IG-camels were classified according to initial sperm count, body condition score, age, duration of infertility, IG-type, and testicular size. IG-camels were treated with a combination of intramuscular injections of Vit E (α-tocopherol acetate, 1 mg/kg bw) and Se (sodium selenite, 0.088 mg/kg bw) once every week for three successive weeks and by daily oral administration of 360 mg of zinc gluconate for 5 successive weeks. Semen quality was estimated before and after treatment. IG-treated camels were allowed to mate females in estrus, and conception rates were calculated. The results showed that sperm cell concentration, sperm motility, and viability significantly increased, while sperm abnormality significantly decreased after treatment (P < 0.01). Positive correlations were observed between initial sperm cell count and post-treated sperm count (P = 0.001), sperm motility (P = 0.01), and viability (P = 0.002). Other variables and their interactions did not affect response to treatment. Conception rates improved after treatment. In conclusion, Zn, Se, and Vit E administration improved semen quality and fertility in male dromedary camels with impotentia generandi. Initial sperm count can be used to predict the degree of camel response to treatment.