Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks
Good sperm production is a notable requirement for subjects intended for reproduction, particularly in endangered species, and it has been demonstrated that in horse stallions, this is correlated to testicular volume. The present study, which involved Martina Franca jacks, aimed to determine whether...
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/23/3619 |
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| author | Roberta Bucci Ippolito De Amicis Salvatore Parrillo Domenico Robbe Augusto Carluccio |
| author_facet | Roberta Bucci Ippolito De Amicis Salvatore Parrillo Domenico Robbe Augusto Carluccio |
| author_sort | Roberta Bucci |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Good sperm production is a notable requirement for subjects intended for reproduction, particularly in endangered species, and it has been demonstrated that in horse stallions, this is correlated to testicular volume. The present study, which involved Martina Franca jacks, aimed to determine whether, also in this endangered breed, there is a correlation between the total sperm number (TSN) and testicular volume. Testes were measured with both ultrasound and a caliper. Testicular volume was calculated using two different formulas: one representing the volume of an ellipsoid and one developed to describe round-shaped testicles. The average sperm concentration was 380.14 ± 254.58 × 10<sup>6</sup>/mL, while the average TSN was 16.34 ± 7.76 × 10<sup>9</sup>. Our findings evidenced a significant correlation (r > 0.75; <i>p</i> < 0.05) only between sperm production and the volume calculated with the formula V (cm<sup>3</sup>) = 33.57 × H − 56.57 for round-shaped testes. Moreover, significance was evidenced only for data obtained with ultrasound (VTs-us 315.03 ± 25.83 cm<sup>3</sup>) but not with caliper. In conclusion, testicular volume can be suggestive of good fertility in Martina Franca jacks; thus, this parameter could be considered when selecting breeding animals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:56:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b742f8d4076b4d48a1ea6ffa7f06b8b1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:56:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-b742f8d4076b4d48a1ea6ffa7f06b8b12023-12-08T15:10:28ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-11-011323361910.3390/ani13233619Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding JacksRoberta Bucci0Ippolito De Amicis1Salvatore Parrillo2Domenico Robbe3Augusto Carluccio4Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, ItalyGood sperm production is a notable requirement for subjects intended for reproduction, particularly in endangered species, and it has been demonstrated that in horse stallions, this is correlated to testicular volume. The present study, which involved Martina Franca jacks, aimed to determine whether, also in this endangered breed, there is a correlation between the total sperm number (TSN) and testicular volume. Testes were measured with both ultrasound and a caliper. Testicular volume was calculated using two different formulas: one representing the volume of an ellipsoid and one developed to describe round-shaped testicles. The average sperm concentration was 380.14 ± 254.58 × 10<sup>6</sup>/mL, while the average TSN was 16.34 ± 7.76 × 10<sup>9</sup>. Our findings evidenced a significant correlation (r > 0.75; <i>p</i> < 0.05) only between sperm production and the volume calculated with the formula V (cm<sup>3</sup>) = 33.57 × H − 56.57 for round-shaped testes. Moreover, significance was evidenced only for data obtained with ultrasound (VTs-us 315.03 ± 25.83 cm<sup>3</sup>) but not with caliper. In conclusion, testicular volume can be suggestive of good fertility in Martina Franca jacks; thus, this parameter could be considered when selecting breeding animals.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/23/3619biodiversityendangered speciestesticular volumesperm productionMartina Franca donkeys |
| spellingShingle | Roberta Bucci Ippolito De Amicis Salvatore Parrillo Domenico Robbe Augusto Carluccio Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks Animals biodiversity endangered species testicular volume sperm production Martina Franca donkeys |
| title | Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks |
| title_full | Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks |
| title_short | Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks |
| title_sort | evaluation of testicular volume and correlation with sperm production in martina franca donkeys a parameter to consider when approving breeding jacks |
| topic | biodiversity endangered species testicular volume sperm production Martina Franca donkeys |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/23/3619 |
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