Evaluation of scrotal temperature in different testicular shapes by infrared thermography in Braford bulls
Favaro, Patrícia da CruzPereira, Gabriel RibasBarca Junior, Flávio AntônioSeneda, Marcelo MarcondesAssunção, Augusto César AlvesSilva, Ivis Dias daFranco, Elis Maria VictalinaGaldioli, Victor Hugo GonçalvesKoetz Junior, Celso
Background: The mechanisms of testicular thermoregulation may influence the blood flow provided by the testicularartery, where the proper blood supply to the testicle is crucial for promotingspermatogenesis and reproductive functionin bulls. The size and shape of the testicles are determined by genetic mechanisms and environmental effects. A betterunderstanding of the relationships between the anatomical characteristics of the testicles and scrotum can support a betterreproductive assessment. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the testicular temperature of different scrotalshapes using infrared thermography in bulls.Materials, Methods & Results: We evaluated 132 Braford bulls with an average age of 24 months. The evaluation of breeding bull semen was performed prior to the beginning of the experiment. Then, animals were selected on the basis of the sizeof their testes, which was determined by dividing the average width by the average length. The scrotal circumference wasmeasured with a millimeter tape positioned around the largest circumference. Testicular and ocular temperature measurementsand analysis were conducted using an infrared thermal camera, Flir T440 with emissivity of 0.98 and thermal sensitivity of0.05°C. Testicular scrotum temperature and testicular shape were analyzed with one-way ANOVA using Minitab 16, andvalues of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. We observed that 67.42% of testicle shapes were long-oval,and 32.58% were long-moderate. The testicular temperature was higher in bulls with the long-moderate shape comparedto those with the long-oval shape (P < 0.05). The mean length was higher in long-moderate shaped testicles compared tothose of the long-oval shape (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences...(AU)
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