Male Reproductive Pathology: General Considerations

Common diseasesUncommon diseasesPathogenesis

VetReproPath.com

Normal Anatomy

“Recent” changes

Testis

Vaginal tunics

Deferent duct

Vesicular gland

Head of penis

Some cells of the testis

Seminiferous tubuleTesticular sustentacular (Sertoli) cellsGerm cells

SpermatogoniaSpermatocytesSpermatids

Interstitial endocrine cells

Spermatic GranulomaMale tract is a unique area immunologically

Spermatozoa are outside the bodyBlood testis barrier

Spermatozoa are immunogenicspermiostasisspermatocelespermatic granuloma

Spermatic granulomas

Think its pus?Its probably not!

Male Reproductive PathologyScrotal contents

Clinical scenarioDog with swollen scrotum – why?

Dog with swollen scrotumConsider anatomy and physiology

Scrotal skinVaginal tunicsTestisEpididymisSpermatic cord (cremaster muscle, deferent duct and pampiniform plexus)Inguinal ring and areaSuperficial inguinal (scrotal) lymph node.

Any enlargement of a scrotum or contents can result in swelling

Ancillary testsurinalysissemen evaluationfine needle aspiration/impression smearsincisional biopsyexcisional biopsy

Scrotal skin disease Phase 3 Dermatology/Dermatopathology

Can be secondary to periorchitis/epididymitis

Vaginal tunicsPeriorchitis

All species gets thisOften from epididymitisCan be from peritonitis

Cat is exceptionFeline infectious peritonitis

Testis: SmallHypoplasia

systemic and or localreduced tubular size, lengthgerm cell numberCauses• hereditary? • Disorders of Sexual Development

– Sex chromosome DSD - XXY cats, freemartin– XX testicular DSD – dogs, goats– XY testicular DSD – all species

Testis: SmallHypoplasia

All these testes were from rams of the same age

Testis: SmallCryptorchidism

XY testicular DSDWhy was there maldescent• genetic• hormonal• structural• environmental (outbreaks)

DSD = Disorder of Sexual Development

Testis: SmallIs it a cryptorchid?

All species• Serum hormone testing

Cat• Penile barbs

Dog• Palpate prostate

Horse• rectal palpation

Testis: Small

Your dog is a cryptorchid – why neuter?Adverse outcomes of cryptorchidism•Torsion•Neoplasia•Reduced fertility•Heritable trait

Testis: SmallAtrophy/degeneration

Atrophy is gross term, degeneration is histologyBrown coloration

MineralizationFibrosis

Testis: Large Compensatory hypertrophyNeoplasia

DDX epididymitisDog• sustentacular (Sertoli) cell tumor• interstitial cell tumor• seminoma

Horse• seminoma (old), teratoma (young)

Testis: Large; neoplasia Sustentacular (Sertoli) cell tumor

Is white and tough

Hyperestrogenism• Feminisation• Gynecomastia• Alopecia• Bone marrow suppression

Testis: Large; neoplasia Interstitial cell tumour

Tan with haemorrhage

Testis is brown from?

Testis: Large; neoplasia Seminoma

Dog• White, bulges and is

homogeneousHorse

• Pale yellow and lobulated

Testis: TorsionTesticular torsion

Retained testisStallions

+ retained testis + sustentacular (Sertoli) cell tumor

EpididymisEpididymis is one duct and meters long.‘Too big or too small”Congenital disease

Spermatic granuloma of the epididymal headHypoplasiaSegmental aplasia of mesonephric duct

Epididymitis