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doi: 10.4103/2305-0500.241208 ©2018 by the Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction. All rights reserved.
Sperm defects and infertility caused by bacterial infection of the reproductive tract in
an adult male dog: A case report
Chike F. Oguejiofor
Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
ART ICLE INF O ABS TRACT
Article history:
Received 11 June 2018
Revision 15 July 2018
Accepted 10 August 2018
Available online 18 September 2018
Keywords:
Canine infertility
Semen evaluation
Sperm abnormalities
Corresponding author: Chike F. Oguejiofor, Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and
Reproductive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
410001, Nigeria.
E-mail: chike.oguejiofor@unn.edu.ng
Tel: +2348038993103
1. Introduction
Canine breeding is an important source of income in many parts of
the world. Therefore, canine infertility is likely to cause significant
economic losses in the industry. Infertility is broadly divided into
congenital and acquired infertility. Congenital infertility is caused
by genetic abnormalities and is present at birth whereas acquired
infertility develops during the dog’s lifetime[1,2]. Cases of acquired
infertility in dogs can be frustrating to clinicians in canine practice.
The prognosis of infertility often remains poor with fertility restored
in only 10% of affected dogs after diagnosis and appropriate
treatment[3].
2. Case report
In this case, a 3.5-year-old male Caucasian dog was presented
for infertility evaluation. He had no record of successful breeding
despite being mated with multiple bitches.
As previously recommended[2], evaluation for male infertility in
this case was aimed to progress from relatively easy and inexpensive
to more difficult and time consuming diagnostic tests. Breeding
soundness examination was performed on the dog which included
history evaluation, general physical examination, reproductive
system examination, hematology, libido determination, and semen
collection, evaluation and screening for infectious organisms.
Historically, upon presentation of the dog to four estrous bitches
(at different times), there was normal mounting and copulation but
no pregnancy in the mated bitches. Three of these bitches were bred
to other males and produced litters thereby confirming their fertility.
No information was available on the reproductive history of the
male relatives. History of previous diet, illnesses, vaccinations and
treatments were also recorded.
On physical examination, the dog appeared healthy and in good
body condition (32 kg body weight). General examination of
the dog revealed normal rectal temperature (37.8 曟), pulse rate
(118 bpm), respiratory rate (19 breaths/min) and pink mucous
membranes of the eyes. Chest auscultation revealed normal heart
and lungs. The submandibular and retropharyngeal lymph nodes
were normal on palpation. Abdominal palpation did not reveal any
obvious abnormalities. Examination of the limbs and foot pads did
not reveal any musculoskeletal abnormalities, lesions or pain.
Cases of acquired infertility in dogs often have poor prognosis and can be frustrating to
clinicians in canine practice. In this case, a 3.5-year-old male Caucasian dog was presented
for infertility evaluation. He had no record of successful breeding despite being mated with
multiple bitches over a two-year period. Breeding soundness examination was performed
including history evaluation, general physical and reproductive system examination,
hematology, libido determination, and semen collection, evaluation and screening for
infectious organisms. The presence of copious growth of bacteria (Escherichia coli) in
conjunction with significant sperm abnormalities and leucospermia was applied to diagnose
infertility due to a sub-chronic or chronic bacterial infection of the reproductive tract.
Bacterial infection caused significant sperm abnormalities including low sperm motility,
increased number of dead sperm and sperm with structural abnormalities such as detached
heads, fractured necks, looped tails and coiled tails. Treatment was effected by administering
ciprofloxacin orally for 4 weeks.
Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction 2018; 7(5): 236-238
Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction
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How to cite this article: Oguejiofor CF. Sperm defects and infertility caused by
bacterial infection of the reproductive tract in an adult male dog: A case report. Asian
Pac J Reprod 2018; 7(5): 236-238.
237
Chike F. Oguejiofor/ Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction (2018)236-238
Examination and palpation of the reproductive system revealed
no obvious abnormalities of the scrotum and the penis, but there
was moderate whitish discharge from the prepuce. The dog showed
mild sign of pain on palpation of the testes and epididymides
although these were of normal size and consistency and were freely
movable within the scrotal sac. Upon rectal palpation of the prostate
gland, there was mild sign of discomfort or pain but no obvious
enlargement of the prostate.
An initial semen sample was collected using an artificial vagina
and discarded. The dog was rested for 7 days before the collection
of subsequent semen used for evaluation. Semen collection was
performed in the absence of an estrous bitch as none was available
at the time of assessment of the dog. First, the prepuce and tip of
penis were cleaned with sterile saline moistened gauze. The artificial
vagina was then used to collect the pre-sperm, sperm-rich and post-
sperm fractions of ejaculate over a period of about 6 min. Semen
was maintained between 30 曟-37 曟 and taken to the laboratory for
further evaluation.
Gross semen evaluation was used to determine semen color,
volume and pH. Microscopic semen evaluation was performed to
determine sperm motility (total and progressive), sperm vitality,
sperm morphology, sperm concentration, total sperm in the ejaculate
and presence of white blood cells (WBC) in the semen. A sample
of the semen was also sent for microbial culture and antibiotic
sensitivity testing.
The results of the hematology and the gross and microscopic semen
evaluation were presented in Table 1. The results were compared
to reference values[4,5]. Semen colour was cloudy white, which
was the same as the reference value. Micrographs of sperm vitality
and morphology were also presented in Figures 1, 2, and 3. Semen
culture revealed a copious growth of bacteria that was identified
as Escherichia coli following biochemical and confirmatory tests.
Antimicrobial sensitivity testing showed the isolate was most
sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin but most resistant to
augmentin and ampicillin.
Table 1
Haematology and semen evaluation in a case of infertility in a male.
Items Value Reference value
Haematology
PCV (%) 51 37-54
Hb (g/dL) 16 13-19
Total WBC count (×伊109/L) 15 6-17
Differential WBC count (%) L (17), M (4),
N (79), E (0),
B (0)
L (12-30), M (3-10),
N (60-70), E (2-10),
B (rare)
Semen evaluation*
Volume (mL) 4 1-30
pH 6.1 6.3-7.0
Total motility (%) 30 70-90
Progressive motility (%) 11 曒70
Sperm vitality (%) 42 >50-80
Sperm concentration (million/mL) 104 -
Total sperm (million/ejaculate) 416 300-2 000
Total sperm abnormalities (%) 39 <10-20
Alkaline phosphatase level (IU/L) 6 615 >5 000
Semen WBC count (/µL) 5 700 >2 000
*Reference values[4,5], PVC: packed cell volume, Hb: hemoglobin, WBC: white blood
cells, L: Lymphocyte, M: monocyte; N: neutrophil, E: eosinophil, B: basophil.
10 µm
Figure 1. Micrograph of sperm vitality using eosin-nigrosin staining.
Live sperm are unstained whereas dead sperm are stained red. Note
theabnormal sperm with fractured neck (FN), detached heads (DH) and
looped tails (LT); Magnification: 伊 1 000.
10 µm
Figure 2. Micrograph of sperm vitality using eosin-nigrosin staining.
Live sperm are unstained whereas dead sperm are stained red. Note the
abnormal sperm with coiled tail (CT); Magnification: 伊 1 000.
10 µm
Figure 3. Phase-contrast micrograph of sperm morphology.
Note the abnormal sperm with fractured neck (FN) and looped tail (LT)
and the presence of WBCs in the semen; Magnification: 伊 1 000.
238 Chike F. Oguejiofor/ Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction (2018)236-238
3. Discussion
Tentative diagnoses proposed included: poor libido, failure to
ejaculate (aspermia), absence of sperm in ejaculate (azoospermia)
and infectious disease of the genitalia. During semen collection,
there was normal libido, erection and semen ejaculation in the dog
(even in the absence of an estrous bitch). This eliminated infertility
due to poor libido or aspermia. Grossly, the semen appeared normal
although there was reduced pH possibly as a result of inflammatory
activity in the reproductive tract. Following semen microscopy, the
presence of sperm in the ejaculate ruled out azoospermia as the cause
of infertility. However, there were significant sperm abnormalities
including low progressive sperm motility (asthenozoospermia),
increased number of dead sperm (necrospermia) and increased
number of sperm with structural abnormalities (teratozoospermia)
such as detached heads, fractured necks and looped tails. Seminal
plasma alkaline phosphatase is produced in the epididymides[6].
The high level of alkaline phosphatase in the seminal plasma
indicated complete ejaculation by the dog and confirmed patency
of the reproductive ductal system. This also ruled out incomplete
ejaculation as a cause of low motility observed in this case.
Hematological results were within the normal range for healthy
dogs except for increased blood neutrophils (neutrophilia) which
suggested evidence of response to infection. There was also an
increased WBC count in the semen (leucospermia), an evidence of
active infection or inflammation in the reproductive tract.
A definitive diagnosis of infertility due to a sub-chronic or chronic
bacterial infection of the reproductive tract was made based on
the presence of copious growth of Escherichia coli bacteria in
conjunction with poor sperm quality and leucospermia. Microbial
infection may have occurred through local injuries, systemic blood
supply, or by ascending infection of the prepuce, prostate, epididymis
and testes[2]. In this case, bacterial infection of the reproductive tract
caused significant damage to spermatozoa leading to infertility in
affected dogs. Infertility may result from altered semen pH or sperm
morphology and motility, or through direct killing of sperm cells by
infectious organisms or inflammatory mediators.
Ciprofloxacin (15 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally
twice daily (12 hourly). Treatment was applied for 4 weeks due to the
potential long-standing nature of the infection. This is recommended
to allow for adequate and sustained antibiotic levels within the
reproductive tract[1]. The patient was also placed on supportive
therapy including provision of adequate diet and avoidance of heat
and stress. Further sexual activity was restricted for a minimum of 3
months from the end of treatment to allow for the normal length of
the sperm production cycle (approximately 70 days). Three months
following the completion of treatment, another semen evaluation and
culture was performed. All the semen parameters were observed to
have improved and were within the normal (volume: 5.5 mL, pH:
6.7, total motility: 82%, progressive motility: 75%, vitality: 89%,
total sperm count: 660 million/ejaculate, total sperm abnormalities:
14%, WBC count: 750 per µL). Semen culture showed no evidence
of bacterial infection. Subsequently, the dog was bred with an estrous
bitch about 4.5 months following treatment. This was followed by
successful conception and the whelping of four healthy puppies at
the end of gestation, thereby confirming the efficacy of the diagnosis
and treatment regimen. The client was advised to keep the dog and
the kennel clean at all times and to avoid breeding with suspicious or
unhealthy bitches.
Conflict of interest statement
The author declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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