Computer analysis of video and ultrasonographic images for evaluation of bull testes

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 223 - 228
• Main Authors: Gábor, G, Sasser, R.G, Kastelic, J.P, Mézes, M, Falkay, Gy, Bozó, S, Völgyi Csik, J, Bárany, I, Hidas, A, Szász, F, Boros, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15.07.1998
• Subjects: analysis; Animal Husbandry - methods; Animals; AUDIOVISUAL AIDS; BODY MEASUREMENTS; BOVIN LAITIER; BREEDS (ANIMALS); BULLS; Cattle - anatomy & histology; DAIRY CATTLE; ECHOGRAPHIE; ECHOGRAPHY; ECOGRAFIA; ESCROTO; GANADO DE LECHE; HISTOLOGY; HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; IMAGENES; IMAGERIE; IMAGERY; Male; MEDICION DEL CUERPO; MEDIOS AUDIOVISUALES; MENSURATION CORPORELLE; MOYEN AUDIOVISUEL; RACE (ANIMAL); RAZAS (ANIMALES); SCROTUM; SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES; TAUREAU; TESTES; TESTICULE; TESTICULOS; Testis - diagnostic imaging; TORO; ULTRASON; ULTRASONICS; ULTRASONIDO; ULTRASONOGRAPHY; ultrasound; video; VIDEO CAMERAS; images; bulls; video; analysis; ultrasound; testes
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/S0093-691X(98)00129-0

The objectives of this study were to determine relationships between scrotal size (SC; estimated from a video image) and testicular size, and between ultrasonographic echotexture of the testis and seminiferous tubule area in bulls. Video images of the scrotum of 49 Holstein-Friesian (H-F) bulls were recorded and digitized. Scrotal width and length were measured with custom software. After slaughter, scrotums (containing testes) were excised, SC and testicular height, width and volume were measured, and the testes were examined ultrasonographically. Correlations between SC and testicular width or volume (r=0.86, P<0.001 and r=0.84, P<0.001, respectively) were much higher than those between scrotal width and testicular width or volume (r=0.23, P<0.11 and r=0.28, P<0.06). Histological examination of the testes was performed in 31 of the bulls. Ultrasonographic echotexture of the testes (determined with custom software) was highly correlated (r=−0.5, P<0.005) with seminiferous tubule area. Although SC was superior to video imaging for estimating testicular size, ultrasonographic imaging of the testes has considerable potential for the evaluation of testicular function in bulls.