Advances in Diagnostics and Treatment of Andrological Pathologies in Small Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 460

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
Interests: equine reproduction; reproductive surgery; endangered breed preservation programs; reproductive physiopathology

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
Interests: small animal reproduction; ultrasonography; semen evaluation and preservation; veterinary andrology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The correct performance of the reproductive process is mandatory for the survival of all animal species. There are various delicate reproductive mechanisms, starting from the endocrine control of reproduction and the production and maturation of gametes to the process of fertilization, as well as pregnancy and parturition. Any alteration or pathology affecting these mechanisms can therefore lead to an alteration of fertility or infertility.

Research in small animal reproduction is always active and leads to new insights, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the male genital system in small animals. The importance of this field also concerns implications for human health: pathologies such as canine prostatic diseases can represent a valid animal model in better understanding men’s illnesses. Furthermore, the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive pathologies that can cause infertility is mandatory, especially for animals of endangered species/breeds and that are involved in species/breed recovery programs, as studies on the reproduction of domestic animals such as dogs and cats can be used as starting models for the application of similar protocols in wild animals, even those at risk of extinction, such as large felids.

We are therefore pleased to open this Special Issue, aiming to address andrological pathologies in small animals, with particular interest in discoveries on pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment. Original articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome. Case reports of uncommon reproductive pathologies or those presenting new diagnostic methods (laboratory or imaging) or treatments (pharmacological or surgical) are welcome, too.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Prof. Dr. Augusto Carluccio
Dr. Roberta Bucci
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • andrology of small animals
  • prostate disease
  • imaging
  • surgery
  • male infertility
  • endangered breeds
  • feline reproduction
  • semen collection and evaluation
  • dogs and cats

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 1947 KiB  
Article
Is Canine Prostate-Specific Esterase a Reliable Marker for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Progression in Dogs?
by Florin-Petrișor Posastiuc, Nicolae-Tiberiu Constantin, Guillaume Domain, Lotte Spanoghe, Ann Van Soom, Alexandru Ilie Diaconescu and Mario-Darius Codreanu
Animals 2025, 15(11), 1614; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111614 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 99
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in intact male dogs, often progressing from subclinical to symptomatic stages with increasing clinical and structural impact. This study evaluated canine prostate-specific esterase (CPSE) as a biomarker for BPH progression, focusing on clinical severity, complexity, [...] Read more.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in intact male dogs, often progressing from subclinical to symptomatic stages with increasing clinical and structural impact. This study evaluated canine prostate-specific esterase (CPSE) as a biomarker for BPH progression, focusing on clinical severity, complexity, and ultrasonographic features. Seventy-one dogs were included: subclinical-BPH (n = 14), clinical-BPH (n = 26), BPH-prostatitis (n = 9), and controls (n = 22). CPSE levels, measured using a canine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were significantly correlated with clinical severity (ρ = 0.800, p ≤ 0.001) and complexity (ρ = 0.818, p ≤ 0.001). CPSE predicted mild (OR = 1.260, B = 0.231, p ≤ 0.001) and moderate severity (OR = 1.300, B = 0.262, p ≤ 0.001), as well as low (OR = 1.225, B = 0.203, p ≤ 0.05), moderate (OR = 1.235, B = 0.211, p ≤ 0.01), and high (OR = 1.346, B = 0.297, p ≤ 0.001) clinical complexity. CPSE showed a trend toward predicting structural alterations (OR = 1.227, B = 0.204, p = 0.069) and was associated with larger stippled areas, increased prostatic volume, and larger cysts/abscesses (all p ≤ 0.001). CPSE appears to be a promising marker for BPH progression. Full article
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