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Bitches with dystocia most often present with clinical signs of uterine inertia (UI). The aetiology of myometrial dysfunction in most of these cases is still not elucidated. We compared blood ionized calcium (iCa) and glucose concentrations in bitches diagnosed with primary UI (PUI, n = 14), secondary UI (SUI, n = 6) or obstructive dystocia (OD, n = 6), and we described their haematology profiles. Bitches diagnosed with UI had a patent birth canal and delivered no puppies yet (PUI) or only part of the whole litter (SUI). The OD group had no UI and showed strong abdominal contractions. Blood iCa did not differ between the PUI, SUI and OD groups and was not influenced by litter size. There was a significant positive relationship (R2 = .241, p = .013) between iCa concentrations and the dam's body weight. Glucose concentrations were also not significantly different between dystocia groups or influenced by body weight and litter size. Hypocalcaemia was detected in 11 bitches, and hypoglycaemia in two bitches. Pregnancy‐associated anaemia was seen in about one‐third of the bitches. Eight of 12 dogs had increased platelet counts, and ten had leukocytosis with mature neutrophilia. Although iCa did not differ between dystocia groups, low concentrations may have contributed to the development of UI in some of the small size bitches. Hypoglycaemia was uncommon, and therefore, we consider low glucose concentrations not to have played an important role in the pathogenesis of UI in our study population. Pregnancy‐associated anaemia, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis and mature neutrophilia were common findings in otherwise healthy bitches diagnosed with different forms of dystocia.

Although neutering of pets is common, recent data show that it might have a significant negative impact on canine health, e.g. by increasing types of various cancers. In spite of a significant increase in knowledge about side effects, the expertise and expectations of veterinarians (V) and dog owners (DO) have to be investigated. To obtain data from V and DO in Scandinavia, 2 separate online questionnaires were used. The results were compared to the litera-ture. A total of 374 V and 3449 DO completed the questionnaires. Neutering was considered to be associated with several positive ef-fects: reduced risk for mammary tumours (♀: V: 93%, DO: 63%) and pseudopregnancy in bitches (♀: DO: 57%), reduced risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia in male dogs (♂: V: 88%, DO: 42%), reduced aggression against other dogs (♂: V: 83%, DO: 60%), reduced urine marking (♂: V: 89%, DO: 61%), reduced tendency for hyperactivity (♂: V: 68%, DO: 51%), for roaming (♂: V: 87%, DO: 64%;♀: V: 64%, DO: 44%), for hypersexuality (♂: V: 95%, DO: 61%; ♀: V: 81%, DO: 40%) and increased life expectancy (♀: V: 45%). Expected negative effects of neutering were increased appetite (♂: V: 91%, DO: 76%; ♀: V: 90%, DO: 76%), increased risk for overweight (♂: DO: 86%, ♀: DO: 84%), for coat changes (♂: V: 84%, DO: 63%; ♀: V: 87%, DO: 65%), urinary incontinence (♀: V: 95%; DO: 36%) and hypothyroid-ism (♂: DO: 27%; ♀: DO: 28%). In conclusion, a certain discrepancy between participants’ expectations and the literature was identified with a tendency to underestimate potential negative effect

Initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis requires androgens, in particular testosterone, and FSH. Integral membrane proteins contribute essentially to the formation of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and are therefore crucial for normal spermatogenesis. Recently, we investigated BTB protein and androgen receptor (AR) expression in whole testicular homogenates during GnRH- slow release implant mediated downregulation and subsequent restart of spermatogenesis following implant removal after 5 months (week 0). In the present study, RNA from tubular tissue only (500 round tubules/sample) of the respective animals castrated in week 0 (n = 3), 3 (n = 3), 6 (n = 4) and 12 (n = 3) was extracted and RT-qPCR was performed using primers against Ocld, Cldn-3, -11, Cx43 and AR. Tissue from 4 untreated dogs served as controls. Whereas no significant differences in mRNA expression of Cldn-3 and AR could be identified in tubular tissue between the downregulated testes, the different stages of restart of spermatogenesis and CG, relative gene expression for Cldn-11 (p = 0.0213), Cx43 (p = 0.0113) and Ocld (p = 0.0030) differed significantly between groups. The highest ratio for Cx43 and Cldn-11 was obtained in week 0. For Ocld, the relative mRNA expression was highest in weeks 6 and 12. The unchanged AR expression in tubular tissue at downregulation allows for a rapid responsiveness to androgens during restart of spermatogenesis. Whereas Cx43 and Cldn-11 seems to be upregulated during downregulation, results for Ocld indicate a rebound effect at the time when spermatogenesis is nearly re-established.

Azoospermia represents one of the most common reasons for infertility in the male. Although this finding is common in dogs, too, the underlying testicular changes are poorly characterised. We recently identified immune cell infiltration in 9 of 10 testicular biopsies from dogs suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Here, we aimed to obtain further insights into canine NOA (n = 10) by investigating the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the gap junction protein Connexin 43 (Cx43). Five healthy dogs with normal semen quality served as controls. Immunohistochemistry against AR and Cx43 was performed and evaluated including quantification of the immunopositive area (PIA) and the staining intensity (mean gray scale) by means of ImageTool 3.0. For AR, Sertoli, Leydig, peritubular and perivascular cells, and some spermatogonia were immunopositive. PIA and mean gray scale (p = 0.0013) were significantly lower in the tubuli of azoospermic dogs (PIA p = 0.0097; mean gray scale p = 0.0013), whereas only the mean gray scale differed significantly regarding interstitial AR expression (p = 0.0092) from the controls. For Cx43, immunopositive staining was found in the parabasal compartment within the Sertoli cell cytoplasm in the controls, but staining was diffuse in the tubuli of the azoospermic dogs. Neither PIA nor mean grey scale differed significantly between groups. Whereas especially tubular AR expression seems to be reduced in testes of azoospermic dogs compared to healthy controls, Cx43 distribution, but not quantity was affected in our samples indicating a disruption of the blood testis barrier. (We acknowledge funding of the GkF for this project.)

Among others, selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VitE) have been provided to dogs to improve semen quality. However, scientific evidence documenting an effect in dogs is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of these antioxidants on various ejaculate parameters in a randomized, double-blinded trial using Cairn Terrier males exhibiting normal seminal quality parameters. Three dogs each were fed a standardized diet and supplemented with 0.1 mg Se, 100 mg VitE or 0.1 mg Se + 100 mg VitE/dog for 3 months. Ejaculate analyses (volume, progressive motility, vitality, morphology, concentration) were performed before inclusion (D0) and after 1, 2 and 3 months (+1, +2, +3). At the same time, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and VitE in seminal plasma (SP) and GSH-PX in blood samples were determined. Vitamin E levels in SP were below the detection limit (1.0 mg/L) in all samples. GSH-PX in blood (164.0–2794.4 IU/L) and SP (18.4–4326.0 IU/L) was highly variable. Supplementation only significantly affected the total percentage of sperm head abnormalities (p = .011). Time significantly affected the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm (p = .025), sperm head abnormalities (p = .007), proximal droplets (p = .001) and GSH-PX in SP (p = .015). Additionally, a significant interaction between time and group was identified for the percentage of membrane-intact sperm (p = .048), head abnormalities (p = .018), acrosomal defects (p = .043) and proximal droplets (p = .002). Although some effects could be identified for selected parameters, we failed to identify a clear trend about how a 3 months VitE and/or Se supplementation affects semen parameters in normospermic Cairn Terriers.