Assessment of Testicular Artery Blood Flow Using Doppler Ultrasonography and Its Correlation with Spermatological Parameters in Kangal Shepherd Dogs

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between testicular artery hemodynamics and spermatological parameters in Kangal Shepherd dogs of different age groups using Doppler ultrasonography and computer-assisted sperm analysis. Fourteen clinically healthy, sexually mature Kangal Shepherd dogs were categorized into adult (3-5 years, n=7) and senior (7-9 years, n=7) groups. Each dog underwent three evaluations at twoweek intervals, including a Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of supratesticular, intratesticular, and marginal arteries and comprehensive spermatological analysis. Testicular arterial blood flow was assessed by measuring peak systolic velocity, enddiastolic velocity, pulsatility index (PI), and resistive index (RI). Spermatological assessments included total motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration, and morphological analysis. The results revealed significant age-related alterations in testicular blood flow parameters, with senior dogs exhibiting increased PI and RI values. Moreover, strong negative correlations were identified between Doppler indices and spermatological parameters. Conversely, positive correlations were found between vascular resistance parameters and morphological sperm defects, particularly in the head, tail, and midpiece regions. The strongest correlations were observed in the left intratesticular artery, with RI showing a very strong negative correlation with motility (r=-0.91) and a very strong positive correlation with total morphological defects (r=0.92). In conclusion, this study shows that testicular blood flow, assessed via Doppler ultrasonography, is closely linked to sperm parameters in Kangal Shepherd dogs, underscoring its value in clinical reproductive functions, especially for age-related changes.