The objective of the present study was to measure pixel intensity mean (Echogenicity) and pixel intensity standard deviation (Heterogeneity) of testicular parenchyma in constantly low or high sperm concentration producing bulls. The average sperm concentration/ml in ejaculate over thirteen month's period (GT= 100 ejaculates) was recorded. On the basis of sperm concentration, bulls were grouped into: Low sperm concentration (Group A, n=6: age 4.5 to 6 years) and High sperm concentration (Group B1, n=6: age 4.5 to 6 years and B2, n=3: age 7 to 7.5 years) for this experiment. Digital image analysis of ultrasound scan images was done to measure echogenicity and heterogeneity by using ImageJ software. There was no significant difference in echogenicity values between groups, whereas image heterogeneity values of Group A showed statistically significant (P LT 0.05) lower in comparison with B1 and B2. However, between Group B1 and B2 there was no difference. No correlation was observed between the echogenicity and heterogeneity values in any of the groups. Heterogeneity of echo structure may indicate the seminiferous tubule diameter, sertoli cell population and fluid density within tubules. In conclusion, lower sperm output was observed in testes that were less heterogenic at the tissue level. The heterogeneity values in bulls for rejection at the time of BSE (Breeding soundness evaluation) should be studied in more detail to have more insight and to incorporate in BSE of Murrah bull.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the ultrasonographic morphometry of the reticulum in healthy non-gravid cattle and buffaloes from right and left parasternal and lateral windows and to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the prediction of penetrating metallic foreign bodies in the reticular wall in cattle and buffaloes. The study included 22 clinically healthy (11 cross-bred Indian cattle (Bos tarus and Bos indicus) and 11 Indian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)) and 26 traumatic reticulitis affected bovines (21 cattle and 15 buffaloes). Various parameters like, reticular wall thickness, depth of reticulum, pattern of reticular motility and wall, and presence of effusions were recorded to assess the penetrability of metallic sharp foreign body using ultrasonography.The reticular wall thickness varied from 0.34 to 0.82 cm and 0.37 to 0.68 cm in healthy cattle and buffaloes, respectively. In both the species, the mean highest reticular wall thickness was recorded on the left lateral side. Instead of typical biphasic motility, folding type motility was recorded in 72.73 percent healthy buffaloes and 27.27 percent healthy cattle from the left lateral side. The reticular wall pattern was recorded to be smoother in healthy buffaloes from all the windows compared to healthy cattle. The peri-reticular reaction in diseased bovine was least observed on the left lateral aspect of the reticulum and was maximum evident on the left ventral aspect of reticulum in cattle and the right ventral aspect in buffaloes. The reticular motility was present in maximum number of bovine despite adhesions present on rumenotomy. The cattle showed more adhesions for partially penetrating foreign bodies, compared to buffaloes. Despite non-penetrating foreign bodies, the peri-reticular effusions were seen on the ventral aspect of reticulum from both sides, though in less quantity. In conclusion, the peri-reticular effusions are maximum seen on the left ventral aspect in cattle and right ventral in buffalo in completely and partially penetrating foreign bodies; however, effusions may also be present in non-penetrating foreign body in cattle.