Semen evaluation after partial intracapsular prostatectomy in normal dogs

Abstract The semen of normal male dogs was evaluated before and after a partial intracapsular prostatectomy was performed using an ultrasonic surgical aspirator. This recently developed surgical treatment currently is being used to remove diseased prostatic tissue in dogs with prostatic abscesses and cysts. Although castration is also performed on most dogs with prostatic disease, some affected dogs have value as breeding animals. Assuming that some clients would object to castration, the current study sought to determine whether semen was altered by removal of approximately 85% of prostatic tissue. Semen was examined with a computerized motility analyzer and by traditional microscopic methods in 4 male dogs. A subtotal prostatectomy was performed, and the dogs evaluated for 2 mon after surgery. Although 3 of the 4 dogs had reduced semen volume, the remainder of the postoperative semen measurements were normal. All dogs had increased concentrations of total and motile spermatozoa. The testes were normal, and the remainder of the prostate tissue in all dogs had a moderate and focal infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells.