Part 4. Reproduction and the Male Dog
"In regard to semen quality, optimum fertility is not necessarily a factor of age of the dog, but appears to be more dependent on the stage of the sperm within the ejaculate (i.e. immature or aged sperm) or induced morphologic changes that occur in the sperm. Quality of the semen, therefore, is often more affected by factors other than age including degree of arousal, frequency of ejaculation, collection technique and sample handling. Since frequent ejaculation (daily collection of semen for 5 to 7 days) can cause a reduction in sperm output, studs in high demand may experience less than optimal fertility at certain times throughout their reproductive years. For this reason, it is recommended that sperm from valuable studs be collected and cryopreserved in sufficient quantities early in the male's career to ensure future availability. To this end, collection of semen on an "every other day" basis typically allows time for replenishment of sperm reserves."
CANINE REPRODUCTION - Q&A with DR. ROBERT HUTCHINSON August, 1st 2002
" Male dogs age the same as human males age... with a change in the type testosterone being produced from the testicles. One of the effects in the dog is benign prostatic hyperplasia (bigger prostate). This is a routine happening in all males over six years of age, being especially prominent in the Doberman. Unfortunately, it is misdiagnosed as an infectious process by many veterinarians. So they often times are treated by antibiotics, often with no subsequent improvement with often the drastic suggestion that the male be neutered. The PROPER treatment is one of hormone therapy, using one of two products: either Ovaban, that dreaded product we wouldn't use in the bitch, or Proscar, which is finasteride, which is a human product. These work by countering the change of the testosterone causing the prostate to shrink back down to a normal size, stopping the bleeding, making the dog reproductively normal. A dog with a prostate INFECTION will have PUS in the ejaculate, not blood. A dog with a true prostate infection runs a fever, or shows many of the signs of a bitch with pyometritis. Prostatic cancers do occur in the dog, but are more common in neutered dogs than in non-neutered dogs."
"In regard to semen quality, optimum fertility is not necessarily a factor of age of the dog, but appears to be more dependent on the stage of the sperm within the ejaculate (i.e. immature or aged sperm) or induced morphologic changes that occur in the sperm. Quality of the semen, therefore, is often more affected by factors other than age including degree of arousal, frequency of ejaculation, collection technique and sample handling. Since frequent ejaculation (daily collection of semen for 5 to 7 days) can cause a reduction in sperm output, studs in high demand may experience less than optimal fertility at certain times throughout their reproductive years. For this reason, it is recommended that sperm from valuable studs be collected and cryopreserved in sufficient quantities early in the male's career to ensure future availability. To this end, collection of semen on an "every other day" basis typically allows time for replenishment of sperm reserves."
CANINE REPRODUCTION - Q&A with DR. ROBERT HUTCHINSON August, 1st 2002
" Male dogs age the same as human males age... with a change in the type testosterone being produced from the testicles. One of the effects in the dog is benign prostatic hyperplasia (bigger prostate). This is a routine happening in all males over six years of age, being especially prominent in the Doberman. Unfortunately, it is misdiagnosed as an infectious process by many veterinarians. So they often times are treated by antibiotics, often with no subsequent improvement with often the drastic suggestion that the male be neutered. The PROPER treatment is one of hormone therapy, using one of two products: either Ovaban, that dreaded product we wouldn't use in the bitch, or Proscar, which is finasteride, which is a human product. These work by countering the change of the testosterone causing the prostate to shrink back down to a normal size, stopping the bleeding, making the dog reproductively normal. A dog with a prostate INFECTION will have PUS in the ejaculate, not blood. A dog with a true prostate infection runs a fever, or shows many of the signs of a bitch with pyometritis. Prostatic cancers do occur in the dog, but are more common in neutered dogs than in non-neutered dogs."
