Urospermia indicating ectopic ureters in breeding dogs - 3 cases

An Entlebucher Mountain Dog (57 months old, case 1), a Labrador Retriever (24 months, case 2) and an Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier (31 months old, case 3) were presented for breeding soundness evaluation to the clinic. During semen collection in all 3 dogs, the pre-secretion and the sperm-rich fraction showed normal consistency and colour, whereas the prostatic secretion (3 rd ejaculate fraction) appeared strikingly yellow. In cases 1 and 2, a severely decreased sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) and an increased amount of abnormal spermatozoa (teratozoospermia), and in case 3, a moderately decreased total sperm count (oligozoospermia) were detected. Sonographical examination revealed abnormal findings regarding the uretero-vesical junction and ectopic ureters. Therefore it is concluded that urine admixture to the 3 rd ejaculate fraction may indicate the presence of ectopic ureters and may cause impairment of semen quality and fertility. The present cases raise questions regarding urospermia concerning: 1. its incidence in dogs in general and in connection with ectopic ureters and 2. its relevance as a cause of deficient ejaculate quality and subfertility or infertility.