Severe tail defects in the spermatozoa ejaculated by an English bulldog

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 70; no. 1; pp. 123 - 125
• Main Authors: Rota, A.(University of Turin (Italy)), Manuali, E, Caire, S, Appino, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.01.2008; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Animals; canine; CHIEN; COLA (ANATOMIA ANIMAL); DEFAUT; DEFECTOS; DEFECTS; DOGS; Ejaculation; Infertility, Male - veterinary; Male; MICROSCOPIA; MICROSCOPIE; MICROSCOPY; MOUVEMENT; MOVEMENT; MOVIMIENTO; PERRO; QUEUE; SEMEN; sperm; Sperm Tail; Spermatozoa - abnormalities; SPERME; TAIL; tail defect
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.70.123

This paper describes the case of a 2-year-old English Bulldog with severe teratozoospermia that consisted mainly of 'Daglike' defects which is strong coiling of the tail. Although libido, semen volume and sperm concentration were normal, sperm motility was 5.0%, and 93.3% of spermatozoa exhibited morphological abnormalities affecting the tail. Transmission electron microscopic examination of the spermatozoa revealed strong folding, coiling and fracture of sperm midpieces and tails, axonemal defects and the presence of swollen and unevenly distributed mitochondria. Taking into account the dog's history and examinations and the constantly high percentage of abnormal spermatozoa over time, the defect was considered to be genetic in origin.