Gross Morphometrical Studies on the Testes of Dog During Different Seasons

Abstract

The present study was conducted on the testes of 18 adult dogs (mean body weight 20.28 ± 0.65 kg)
during the summer, monsoon and winter seasons. Thirty-six (36) numbers of testes were collected, 12 in each
season, from dogs operated for neutering at the Veterinary Hospital of Municipal Corporation. Gross anatomical
and biometrical observations on testicular weight, volume, length, width, thickness and circumference were
recorded. The paired testes were located in the scrotum halfway between the anus and the inguinal region. Inside
the scrotum, the visceral layer of tunica vaginalis covered the testis and epididymis. The testes had their long axes
oriented obliquely with a dorso-caudal direction. The reddish-coloured, roughly oval-shaped testes had two
surfaces: lateral and medial, two borders: dorsal and ventral and two ends: proximal and distal. The epididymis
was attached dorso-laterally to the testis. The seasonal effect was significant (p<0.05) for all biometrical
parameters. Significantly lower (p<0.001) values were recorded during the summer season, while during the
monsoon and winter seasons, the values were at par. The lower significant values of testicular biometrical
parameters could be correlated with the inactive spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules of testis during the
summer season.