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Salmon oil supplementation in dogs affects the blood flow of testicular arteries
Author(s) -
Santos Marcelo Carvalho,
Milani Chiara,
Zucchini Paolo,
Quirino Celia Raquel,
Romagnoli Stefano,
Cunha Isabel Candia Nunes
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/rda.13886
Subject(s) - docosahexaenoic acid , testicular artery , semen , biology , fish oil , eicosapentaenoic acid , sperm , semen quality , polyunsaturated fatty acid , testicle , medicine , zoology , endocrinology , artery , fatty acid , anatomy , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , biochemistry , botany
Abstract The administration of fish oils is known to cause changes in several reproductive parameters of domestic animals. The ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega‐3 family, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has been described and correlated with changes in the semen quality, testosterone levels and male fertility. Nevertheless, few studies monitored and registered effects after ceasing supplementation. In the present study, we monitored the Doppler velocimetric and ultrasonographic parameters of nine dogs' testis for 90 days (D90) checking the effect of salmon oil supplementation, and monitoring continued for 60 days more, after ceasing supplementation (D150). Ultrasonographic evaluations comprised determining the Doppler velocimetric parameters, testicular and epididymal volume, and testicular echotexture. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) as well as final diastolic velocity (EDV) in the supratesticular arteries (STA), and marginal artery (MA) increased during the period of treatment and kept that level up to D150. There was no difference between the fish‐oil supplementation period and the unsupplemented one regarding the testicular and epididymal volume and echogenicity and heterogeneity characteristics. A negative correlation was found between heterogeneity of testis and sperm production ( r = −.41, p = .008). Doppler velocimetry indices were affected by the supplementation, leading to an increase in testicular blood flow.