(iii) Normal erection but failure to produce sperm (aspermia) - The cause of absence of an ejaculate includes retrograde ejaculation (i.e.ejaculation of sperms into the urinary bladder) and drug or surgeryinduced sympathetic denervation of various male reproductive structures such as epididymis, vas deferens and prostate. If a dog shows normal libido, erection and ejaculatory behaviour but fails to produce a fluid ejaculate, a catheter will be placed into the urinary bladder so that the
bladder fluid can be examined for the presence of sperm. Retrograde
ejaculation is confirmed if quite a large quantity of sperm is found. Such
cases can often be managed with 'Sudafed'. 'Sudafed' is successful in some
cases even when semen is not found in the urine.
(iv) Presence of a fluid ejaculate but without sperm (azospermia) -
Absence of sperm in a fluid ejaculate may be due to incomplete
ejaculation, outflow obstruction of the such male reproductive passages as
epididymis or vas deferens, or failure of testicles to produce sperms. If
ejaculate is found to have no sperm, a sample should be collected and sent
to a laboratory to test for semen plasma alkaline phosphatase level so as
to localize the cause of such condition. A low level (less than 100 IU/l)
suggests incomplete ejaculation whereas a medium level (between 100 and
2000 IU/l) suggests an outflow obstruction. A normal level (above 5000
IU/l) indicates both complete ejaculation and patent male reproductive
passages, and that the cause of absence of sperm in the ejaculate is
testicular failure.
(v) Incomplete ejaculation - Diagnosis is based on low semen plasma
alkaline phosphatase level and evidence that the dog has not completely
ejaculated (e.g. fear, inexperience, absence of bitch in season). The best
approach is to repeat the attempt to collect an ejaculate in a calm, quiet
environment in the presence of a teaser bitch.
(vi) Outflow obstruction - It may be caused by failure of parts of the
epididymis or vas deferens to develop, or the development of cyst or
abscess in the epididymis. The semen plasma alkaline phosphatase level is
usually 1000 - 2000 IU/l if the obstruction occurs in the epididymis.
Ultrasound and culture of seminal plasma are the best ways to confirm the
diagnosis. Unfortunately, correction of the obstruction has never been
successful.
(vii) Testicular failure - Presence of normal semen plasma alkaline
phosphatase level (above 5000 IU/l) in a sample with absence of sperm is
suggestive of testicular failure. The causes of such failure include
abnormal sex differentiation, use of drugs toxic to testicles, elevated
levels of sex steroids, autoimmune inflammation of testicles, prolonged
fever, testicle irradiation, infection, inbreeding, testicular tumours, or
increased temperature inside the scrotum. Drug induced testicular toxicity may occur after long term use of cortisone, testosterone or ketaconozole. Elevated levels of sex hormones
can occur with certain tumours such as Sertoli Cell tumours whereas high
levels of cortisone occur in Cushingoid dogs. Autoimmune inflammation of testicles must be suspected in dogs that were previously fertile but now produce fluid lacking sperm. It is also
suspected when there is testicular failure with normal semen plasma alkaline phosphatase level and other causes of testicular failure have been eliminated. Diagnosis can often be confirmed upon biospy of the testicles. Infection of testicles or epididymis is often painful and may lead to
ejaculation failure when stimulated. Affected dogs have high number of
bacteria present in the ejaculate. Overall it should be noted that the conditions in most azospermic dogs with normal semen plasma alkaline phosphatase level are irreversible.
(viii) Presence of blood in ejaculate - Unless there has been trauma to
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the penis at the time of semen collection, blood in the ejaculate isusually associated with enlarged prostate. The condition is normally not harmful to fertility in the absence of infection. However, the blood tinged ejaculate must be cultured to rule out infection as superimposed bacterial infection of prostate is common in dogs with enlarged prostate. (ix) Presence of white blood cells in ejaculate - Normal male dogs have less than 2000 white blood cells per ul in the first two fractions of semen. Increased in number of white blood cell indicates the presence of infection and the ejaculate must be cultured. Canine semen infected with bacteria shows fairly consistent changes to the sperms such as reduced motility, increased number of sperm with defects and clumping of sperms. Prostate is the most common organ to be infected. Affected dogs must be treated with appropriate antibiotic.
GCh Szumerias Wildwood Silver Six Pence Kuvasz, Best of Breed, owned by client, Mercedes Vila
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Best of Breed, bred by our client, Richard Byrne 
Ch. Xeralane's Supersonic Dachshund, Longhaired, owned by client, Mercedes Vila
Ch. Crestline's Olive Oyl, Chinese Crested, owned by client, Mercedes Vila
