Common reproductive problems in stallions

Similar with the literature on our clinical experience problems related with spermatogenesis (testicle degeneration) and ejaculatory dysfunctions are the most frequent reproductive problems of stallions. Most of problems are related with disturbs on testicle thermoregulation. Equine Piroplasmosis (Babesiose) is endemic in most states from Brazil and is an important factor related with the testicle degeneration installation because of high fever induced by the disease. The increase on testicle temperature will induce an increase on cell metabolism with a consequent increase on oxygen needs. As the blood supply to testicle is poor and few oxygen is available the cell dies. The sequence of sperm abnormalities is related with the severity of the injury. The evolution of the sperm abnormalities and daily sperm production is important to determine a testicle degeneration prognosis that usually is favorable. The hormonal profile can also help to determine the degree of testicular damage being important to measure the estrogen levels. The recovery of normal testis tone and sperm production is possible in most of cases if the cause is discharged. The use of anabolic steroids is also related with disturbs of semen production causing a more profound reduction in scrotal circumference. Disturbs of sexual behavior are the second more frequent clinical problems observed in our ambulatory routine of horse andrology and most of them are characterized by ejaculation dysfunction, these problems can have a physical or psychogenic origin. Most of times is difficult to make a differential diagnosis between physical and psychogenic problems. On psychogenic cases the adoption of good practices of reproductive management are important for the recovery. On cases where the problem is physical is important to determine if pain is interfering with the sexual copulatory function, and several strategies (pharmacological and management) can be adopted to help the stallion to achieve ejaculation. Other observed problems are pathologies of the internal glands as vesiculitis and blocked ampullas. The treatment of vesiculitis is most of time frustranting with a high probability of recurrence. The ejaculated most of times contain large amount of blood and inflammatory cells. For blocked ampullas the differential diagnosis with testicle azoospermia is made with the dosage of alkaline phosphatase levels on the seminal plasma. The treatment involves sequential semen collection associated with trnsrectal massage of the ampullas. The principal penile pathology is the penile haematoma induced by trauma during the breeding or semen collection on this case its very important to drain the blood, hydrotherapy and the penis must remain suspended.

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