Avaliação da ecotextura testicular utilizando ultrassonografia em modo b em asininos sem padrão racial definido, utilizados em veículos de tração animal

Abstract

Asinines are very important in animal traction, developing an important role in the constitution of the income of poor families in urban centers. Due to their resistance and rusticity, they are commonly used in cargo transportation. However, with maltreatment and inadequate handling, some problems are observed, including testicular problems, that impair reproductive function. Testicular ultrasound analysis is a noninvasive diagnostic method and an important step in andrological exam, allowing to evaluate alterations and predict the commitment of fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the testicular echotexture of asinines used in animal-drawn vehicles, correlating sonographic findings with the age and scrotal circumference. 30 mongrel animals were used, divided in two groups according to the age (FA1 - 15 animals of 16 to 50 months old and FA2 - 15 animals older than 50 months with a maximum of 130 months). In ultrasonographic evaluation was performed the scanning of the testicles in longitudinal and transverse directions, and the images were later analyzed by the software GIMP 2.8 (2012), to perform the gray-scale histogram. Testicular biometry was made with a caliper by measuring length, width and height, and later testicular volume and testicular index. When testicular biometry was compared between groups, it observed that the length, width and height of older animals were significantly higher than young animals (p<0,05). By comparing the volume and testicular index between groups, it was observed that animals belonging to group 2 showed values greater than group 1 (p<0,05). The histogram of the ultrasound images showed no statistical difference between the parenchyma and left testicular mediastinum, between the age groups. However, there is difference between the echogenicity of the right testis mediastinum between the groups. Thus, we concluded that testicular biometric and volume values increases proportionally with age, asinines testicular parenchyma has a homogeneous echotexture, ranging from low to moderate intensity and testicular mediastinum is hyperechoic compared to the testicular parenchyma.