Castration for treatment of perianal gland neoplasms in the dog

Neoplasms of the perianal gland are common in the dog, particularly the male. Adenomas of the gland develop about 4.5 times more often than do carcinomas of the gland. The adenoma is hormone dependent; thus, castration without excision of the tumor has been successful in promoting regression without recurrence. Microscopic examination of the testes from dogs with perianal gland neoplasms has revealed 1 in 10 with tubular atrophy and 1 in 3 with testicular neoplasia. Interstitial cell tumors have been seen more often than other cell types of testis tumors.     

Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome in a Miniature Schnauzer Dog with Signs of Feminization and a Sertoli Cell Tumour

A 5‐year‐old male Miniature Schnauzer was presented with unilateral cryptorchidism and signs of feminization. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an enlarged right testis and a large, fluid‐filled cavity that appeared to arise from the prostate. Computed tomography revealed the cavity to be consistent with an enlarged uterine body, arising from the prostate, and showed two structures resembling uterine horns that terminated close to the adjacent testes. The dog had a normal male karyotype, 78 XY. Gonadohysterectomy was performed and both the surgical and the histological findings confirmed the presence of a uterus in this male animal, resulting in a diagnosis of persistent Mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS). The enlarged intra‐abdominal testis contained a Sertoli cell tumour. Computed tomography proved to be an excellent diagnostic tool for PMDS.     

犬睾丸精原细胞癌一例的诊疗

介绍了1例老龄犬睾丸精原细胞癌的诊断和手术治疗.通过临床症状检查、B超检查、电解质检测、血常规检查、生化检查和肿瘤组织病理检查,确诊为睾丸精原细胞癌,运用手术方法摘除瘤体后,3个月后回访该犬正常生存,饮食正常,体重增加.     

Prostatic cyst and concurrent Sertoli cell tumor in a dog

Two large prostatic cysts were found in a dog that had a Sertoli cell tumor in an abdominal testis and other signs of hyperestrogenism, including feminization, dermatologic alterations, and slight anemia. After marsupialization of the cysts and removal of the testes, the clinical signs resolved. Evidence of metastasis was not observed after one year. Although tumor-induced hyperestrogenism has been postulated as a cause of prostatic cysts in the dog, clinical reports of such cases are few.     

Testicular seminoma associated with torsion of the spermatic cord in two cryptorchid stallions

Two adult horses had colic attributable to spermatic cord torsion and strangulation of abdominally retained neoplastic testes. Both horses had caudal abdominal soft tissue masses palpable per rectum. One horse was treated successfully by surgical removal of the testis, and the other was euthanatized without treatment. Histopathologic diagnosis of the involved testes was testicular seminoma. Spermatic cord torsion of an abdominally retained testis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of signs of abdominal pain in cryptorchid stallions, especially those with a palpable caudal abdominal mass.     

Pathological Conditions of the Reproductive Organs of Male Stray Dogs in the Tropics: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Morphological Findings and Testosterone Concentrations

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for pathological conditions of the reproductive organs in stray dogs under tropical conditions. Three hundred and eighteen dogs were examined post-mortem in the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003. Before killing, a blood sample (from the cephalic vein) for testosterone assay was taken. Pathological conditions of the reproductive organs were found in 135 of the dogs (42.5%) and in 175 of the testes (64.8%). The most frequent pathologies found were testicular degeneration, cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and testicular tumours (in 15.1%, 6.6%, 6.6% and 5.4% of the dogs and 15.1, 4.6, 6.0 and 3.5 of the testes, respectively). Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) was seen in 5.4% of the dogs. Testicular degeneration was more common in old dogs and underweight dogs (p < 0.05). Testicular tumours were 14.3 times more common in cryptorchid dogs. Age was another important factor for the development of testicular tumours (p < 0.05). Lower levels of testosterone concentration (p < 0.05) were observed in dogs with advanced testicular degeneration (0.7 +/- 0.8 nM), dogs with hypoplastic testicles (0.8 +/- 0.9 nM) and dogs with one degenerated and one retained testis or with bilateral cryptorchidism (1.2 +/- 0.9 nM) compared to dogs with one or two normal testes (7.0 +/- 5.5 nM). Testicular volume and weight were significantly lower in degenerated, hypoplastic and retained testes compared with the contralateral normal testis. Some spermatogenic activity was found in three of the retained testes, producing oligozoospermic smears with a high percentage of sperm abnormalities. No comparable epidemiological data about male pathological conditions of the reproductive organs in the dog is available. The prevalence found in this study, yet, appears high.     

Use of transabdominal ultrasonography to determine the location of cryptorchid testes in the horse

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Transrectal ultrasonography is a reliable technique to identify intra-abdominal testes, but can be hazardous or impractical in fractious, juvenile or small equids. The transabdominal approach therefore requires validation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of transabdominal ultrasonography to localise cryptorchid testes. METHODS: Thirty-eight horses admitted for cryptorchidism underwent transabdominal ultrasonography to locate errant testes. Location of the testes was confirmed during surgery (n = 37) or necropsy (n = 1). RESULTS: Horses weighed 175-760 kg. Twenty-two testes were located within the abdomen, 19 in the inguinal space and 3 in a subcutaneous location. In 2 horses, a thick winter coat prevented adequate contact between the probe and the skin, and visualisation of their inguinal testis and one abdominal testis was missed during transabdominal ultrasonography. Excluding the 2 horses with excessive hair, the sensitivity of transabdominal ultrasonography to locate errant testes was 97.6% (93.2% when all horses were included), and its specificity 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Transabdominal ultrasonography is a reliable, safe and immediate technique to diagnose cryptorchidism precisely in horses of all ages, sizes and temperaments. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Transabdominal ultrasonography provides an immediate definitive diagnosis of adominal cryptorchidism and should enhance selection of an appropriate surgical approach for their removal.     

Function of contralateral testis after artificial unilateral cryptorchidism in dogs

The effects of a cryptorchid testis on the contralateral testis were investigated after artificially producing unilateral cryptorchidism in 8 beagle dogs. Bilateral testicular biopsy and collection of spermatic vein blood and peripheral vein blood were performed at the time of the operation to produce the cryptorchidism and 52 weeks later. The testicular tissue was used for histological examination by light microscopy and measurement of the testicular transferrin (Tf) concentration by enzyme immunoassay. Plasma testosterone (T), estradiol-17 beta (E2), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Semen was collected weekly and its quality was examined. No spermatogenesis was observed in the cryptorchid testes at 52 weeks after the operation, and the number of germ cells in the contralateral testes had decreased but the number of Sertoli cells did not change. The Tf concentration in both testes had also decreased. The mean total number of sperm between 48 and 52 weeks after the operation (194 x 10(6)) was less than half the number before the operation (510 x 10(6)). Mean spermatic vein plasma T levels (51 ng/ml) in the cryptorchid testes 52 weeks after the cryptorchid operation were significantly lower than before the operation (91 ng/ml; P < 0.05). By contrast, spermatic vein plasma E2 levels (80 pg/ml) were significantly higher than the values before the operation (51 pg/ml P < 0.05). The peripheral plasma LH levels decreased. These findings indicate that a large quantity of E2 secreted by the cryptorchid testis inhibits the endocrine and spermatogenic functions of the contralateral testis in the dog. In particular, it is assumed that dysfunction of the contralateral testis is associated with Sertoli cell dysfunction suggested by the low Tf concentration.     

Bilateral testicular asymmetry and supernumerary testes in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

1. The left and right testis weights from 378 males in 7 experiments were recorded. 2. The relationship between the right and left testis weights was similar in males of different ages, strains and body weights. 3. The left as a proportion of total testes weight was approximately normally distributed about a mean of 0.515. 4. The left testis was greater than the right testis weight in 0.67 of males. 5. The linear regression of the natural logarithm of the right on that of the left testis weights was -0.04 + 0.99X (r2 = 0.98) and it was concluded that, in general, the left and right testes were of similar weight. 6. Three cases of triorchidism (two left testes) occurred, suggesting that this may not be a rare condition in the domestic fowl.     

Bilateral Leydig Cell Tumor in Stallion

The authors report a rare case of bilateral Leydig cell tumor in a noncryptorchid stallion, describing the gross and microscopic findings. An 8-year-old Appaloosa stallion was examined for a unilateral enlargement of the testis associated with discomfort during palpation and signs of colic. General health conditions were good. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the testis provided the diagnosis of bilateral Leydig cell tumor. Bilateral orchiectomy was performed and the testes were submitted to histopathologic examination that confirmed the diagnosis of Leydig cell tumor.     

Canine hypertrophic osteoarthropathy associated with a malignant Sertoli cell tumour

A 15-year-old crossbred dog was presented with a severe cough of acute onset and an enlarged right testis. Symptomatic treatment for presumed 'kennel cough' failed to produce any improvement and at re-examination the dog had developed a swollen right forelimb. Radiographic examination suggested a diagnosis of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (Marie's disease) associated with pulmonary metastases from a testicular tumour. The dog was re-presented five days later with acute-onset severe vomiting and the owner elected for euthanasia. Necropsy was performed and histopathological assessment confirmed the presence of a Sertoli cell tumour in the right testis with multiple pulmonary and renal metastases. Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is a rare complication of metastatic canine Sertoli cell tumour. The authors know of no previously reported cases.     

Transduction and Transplantation of Spermatogonia into the Testis of Ram Lambs through the Extra-testicular Rete

Spermatogonial transplantation will provide a new way to study spermatogenesis in domestic animals, disseminate male genetics and produce transgenic animals, if efficiency can be improved. We evaluated a 'surgical' method for transplanting donor cells into testes of ram lambs, where the head of the epididymis is reflected, and a catheter introduced into the extra-testicular rete testis. We also tested transduction of ram spermatogonia with a lentiviral (LV) vector as a means to identify permanent colonization, and introduce genes into donor cells. Eight ram lambs, 11- to 13-week olds, were the recipients: in five, spermatogonia were injected into one testis, and the contralateral testis was an un-manipulated control: in two, spermatogonia were injected into one testis and the contralateral was sham-injected: in one, both testes were injected. Six lambs received spermatogonia labelled with a cell-tracking dye and these were collected 1 or 2 weeks after transplantation; three lambs received spermatogonia transduced with a LV vector driving the expression of enhanced Green Fluorescence Protein and these were collected after 2 months. Donor cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in tubules of seven of nine recipient testes. Approximately 22% of tubule cross-sections contained donor cells immediately after transplantation, and 0.2% contained virally transduced cells 2 months after transplantation. The onset of spermatogenesis was delayed, and there were lesions in both injected and sham-injected testes. Despite the effects of the surgery, elongated spermatids were present in one recipient testis 2 months after surgery. The results suggest that, after modifying the surgical and transduction techniques, this approach will be a means to produce good colonization by donor spermatogonia in sheep testes.     

Position and histological structure of the testes in the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) during seasonal regression and recrudescence

The position and histological structure of the testes of 33 brown hares (Lepus europaeus) were studied from July to December. From July to September, the testes were located in the scrotum; in October and November, in some animals, the testes were positioned more or less in the inguinal canal towards the abdominal cavity, and in December none of the investigated animals had testes located in the scrotum. Testes were weighed and a quantitative analysis of tissue components was performed: the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, the depth of the seminiferous epithelium, the thickness of the tunica albuginea, the thickness of the peritubular tissue and the relative proportion of seminiferous tubules were determined. The tunica albuginea and peritubular tissue were thickest in September, October and at the beginning of November. In the same months the testis weight was low, and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, the depth of the seminiferous epithelium and the relative proportion of seminiferous tubules in the testis tissue were significantly lower than in other months. We did not find any correlation between testicular regression or testis weight reduction and the change in the position of the testes. During recrudescence of spermatogenesis in November and December the testes were located in the inguinal canal.     

Rete testis mucinous adenocarcinoma in a dog

A bilateral testicular neoplasm from an 11-year-old mixed-breed male dog was removed surgically and examined histologically. The neoplasm was nonencapsulated and composed of acinar and tubular structures lined by one or more layers of neoplastic polyhedral epithelial cells with an abundant mucinous secretion. On histochemistry, all neoplastic cells and associated secretions were periodic acid-Schiff positive. Some neoplastic cells and all associated secretions were positive on mucicarmine stain, and some neoplastic cells, all the stroma, and associated secretions were positive on alcian blue stain. On immunohistochemistry, the neoplastic cells had strong diffuse cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for cytokeratin and vimentin, weak scattered cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for carcinoembryonic antigen and neuron-specific enolase, and no immunoreactivity for S-100. On the basis of histopathology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of mucinous adenocarcinoma of rete testis was made. Rete testis adenocarcinoma is a well known but very rare neoplasm in humans. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the mucinous variant of adenocarcinoma of the rete testis in a dog.     

Use of ultrasonographic and nuclear imaging to diagnose scrotal hernia in a dog

Ultrasonography and nuclear imaging were used in the diagnosis of scrotal hernia in a dog. Both techniques were useful as aids in the differential diagnosis of scrotal enlargement. Nuclear imaging was useful in ruling out testicular torsion; ultrasonography revealed a normal-appearing testis amid fluid and portions of omentum.     

Inguinal percutaneous ultrasound to locate cryptorchid testes

Standing laparoscopic removal of abdominally retained cryptorchid testes may reduce patient morbidity and speed recovery compared with traditional laparotomy because anaesthesia is avoided and skin incisions are smaller. Reliably locating the testis preoperatively is therefore optimal to avoid unnecessary surgical morbidity and expense. We describe and review the results of a simple method of location using ultrasound scanning of the inguinal region, with a negative result indicating abdominal retention. One hundred and twenty‐seven horses with 141 cryptorchid testes were identified. Eighty‐five testes were identified inguinally: 56 abdominal. Two inguinally retained testes were not observed on ultrasound (false negatives) and 2 testes were considered inguinal but subsequently had to be removed from the abdomen (false positives). Sensitivity of inguinal ultrasound to predict the location of cryptorchid testes was therefore 98% and specificity 97%. The technique described herein proved a reliable technique to locate cryptorchid testes prior to surgery, minimising morbidity and cost. Suspect cryptorchids with no external evidence of testes should undergo a screening blood test prior to this ultrasound method of diagnosis.     

Ambiguous genitalia in a fertile, unilaterally cryptorchid male miniature schnauzer dog

A 7-year-old male miniature schnauzer dog with unilateral cryptorchidism was presented for elective orchiectomy. Surgery to remove the cryptorchid testis revealed a fully formed uterus with horns attached to both testis and the body and cervix terminating at the prostate gland. The gross and microscopic diagnosis for the genital tract was persistent Müllerian duct syndrome with unilateral cryptorchidism. Additional associated lesions included cystic endometrial hyperplasia and a solitary, intratubular seminoma within the undescended testis. Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome is rare among domestic animals but is more common in miniature schnauzer dogs because of inheritance as an autosomal recessive trait.     

Immunohistochemical detection of inhibin-alpha, -betaB, and -betaA chains and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in canine testicular tumors and normal testes.

Immunohistochemical detection of inhibin-alpha, -betaA and -betaB chains and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) was carried out on primary testicular tumors from 15 dogs and normal testes from three adult dogs. Histopathologically, the tumors were composed of three types: Leydig cell tumors in five dogs, Sertoli cell tumors in five dogs, and seminoma in five dogs. In normal testes, immunostaining against inhibin-alpha, -betaA, and -betaB chains and 3beta-HSD revealed positive reactivity in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells. In testicular tumors, immunoreactive cells against inhibin-alpha, -betaA, and -betaB chains and 3beta-HSD were localized in all Leydig cell tumors but not in any Sertoli cell tumors or seminomas. The results of radioimmunoassay for plasma inhibin in dogs with Leydig cell tumors showed higher concentrations than those in dogs with Sertoli cell tumors and seminomas and those in normal dogs. The concentration of inhibin in the plasma was markedly decreased by the surgical removal of the Leydig cell tumor in one dog. Our findings suggest that inhibin is synthesized by normal and neoplastic Leydig cells in the canine testis, and the secreted inhibin may be inhibin A and inhibin B.     

雏鸵鸟睾丸的结构及睾丸内神经肽Y的表达

采用光镜和电镜技术,观察雏鸵鸟睾丸的显微和超微结构;采用免疫组织化学方法对NPY在睾丸内的表达进行研究,探明NPY在睾丸内的表达规律.光镜下可见,雏鸵鸟睾丸表面有一层由坚韧的结缔组织构成的白膜,它向睾丸实质内形成的结缔组织不发达,不形成睾丸纵隔和睾丸小隔;雏鸵鸟的曲精小管直径为85～90 μm,生精上皮由支持细胞和1～2层生精细胞构成,此时精原细胞已开始分裂增殖,可见明显的分裂相,初级精母细胞数量少,体积大.电镜下可见,精原细胞胞质内有少量线粒体、游离核糖体和内质网;初级精母细胞富含线粒体、游离核糖体、内质网和溶酶体;支持细胞与精原细胞之间界限清晰,胞质内含较多游离核糖体,其他细胞器不发达;间质细胞的胞核形状不规则,内含较多脂滴.免疫组化显示,NPY在曲精小管周围、睾丸小血管周围、精母细胞和睾丸间质内均有表达,在睾丸小血管周围和精母细胞内表达量较高,而在曲精小管周围和睾丸间质内表达量较低.