Quality of canine spermatozoa retrieved by percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration

OBJECTIVES : To investigate the feasibility of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration in dogs and whether it might provide a population of epididymal spermatozoa similar to the population that can be obtained by processing isolated epididymis caudae. METHODS : Concentration and total sperm number, motility, morphology and acrosomal integrity of sper-matozoa retrieved by percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration, in vitro aspiration and mincing of the cauda of the epididymis were compared. RESULTS: Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration is a feasible procedure to retrieve a population of spermatozoa in dogs. Quality is similar to that of spermatozoa collected in vitro, although a wide varia-tion amongst animals was observed. CLINICAL S IGNIFICANCE : In case of ejaculation failure due to pathological conditions in dogs, the collection of spermatozoa from the cauda of the epididymis could be an option for providing gametes for assisted reproductive technologies. Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration can be used in dogs with com-promised reproductive performance, in which orchiectomy cannot be performed for medical or owner reasons. Further studies aimed to investigate whether the percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration technique might be feasible for repeated semen collection and to accurately evaluate side effects are required.