Feline Testicular Biometry and Gonadosomatic Index: Associations Among Conventional Measurements, Mathematical Estimates, and Seminal Parameters
Mónica Madrigal-Valverde | Rodrigo F. Bittencourt | Antonio Lisboa Ribeiro Filho | Thereza Cristina Calmon de Bittencourt | Isabella de Matos Brandão Carneiro | Luiz Di Paolo Maggitti | Gabriel Felipe Oliveira de Menezes | Carmo Emanuel de Almeida Biscarde | Gleice Mendes Xavier | Paola Pereira das Neves Snoeck | Larissa Pires Barbosa
The development of biometric techniques in domestic animals has greatly advanced scientific practices in wildlife research. The association between seminal characteristics and body and testicular biometry enables the selection of suitable breeders, though appropriate measurement techniques are required. The present study assessed differences among conventional methods and formulas for estimating testicular parameters. Testicular length, width, and thickness were measured using three methods in 13 adult male domestic cats. Testicular area, volume, and weight were estimated, from which the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated. Sperm were collected using an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and urethral catheterization, and characterized in terms of volume, vigor, total motility, progressive motility, concentration, plasma membrane integrity, and morphology. The three methods were consistent in terms of testicular area, volume, weight, and GSI. Moderate positive correlations were observed for testicular weight (r = 0.61, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and GSI (r = 0.58, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Testicular parameters showed strong positive correlations among each other (r > 0.80, <i>p</i> < 0.05). We observed a moderate positive correlation between head length and progressive motility (r = 0.65, <i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, all testicular measurement and estimation techniques showed comparable performance. Therefore, testicular biometry is useful for selecting breeding males in feline conservation programs, wherein larger body biometrics are related to improved seminal and reproductive parameters.
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