Ultrasonographic Monitoring of Reproductive Organs of Barki Rams during early Non- Breeding Season

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to monitor the testes and the accessory sex glands in ram during early non-breeding season with ultrasonography. A clinically healthy eight adult Egyptian Barki rams were used in this study to compare ultrasonographic and measurements of reproductive organs. A scanning technique based on multiple imaging of scrotal contents and also imaging pelvic urethra and accessory sex glands. The results revealed that scrotum circumference was 28.87±1.1 cm and the testicular parenchyma was homogeneous granular medium gray to dark gray. The mediastinum testis appeared as central white linear structure of greater echogenicity than testicular parenchyma. The tail of the epididymis was clearly visible, less echoic than the testicular parenchyma with a more heterogeneous structure. Ampulla appeared as a non-echogenic to hypoechogenic linear lumen. Vesicular gland appeared as a heterogeneous hypo-echogenic structure with irregular outline and circumscribed with echogenic line. The lumen of the pelvic urethra appeared as non-echogenic tube surrounded by moderately echogenic urethral muscle. Pars disseminata of prostate was seen spread along the lumen of the pelvic urethra. Bulbourethral glands appeared with variable echogenicity from hypo-echogenicity to moderate echogenicity. From this study, it could be concluded that the echogenicity and the biometry of accessory sex glands and testes are important parameters for the selection of breeding rams.