The prevalence of ultrasonographic abnormalities and histopathologic lesions is high in testes of yearling tropical hair rams

Abstract

Ultrasonography is commonly used to examine testes as part of a breeding soundness examination in sheep, especially, in cases of infertility or when gross testicular abnormalities are present.A descriptive, prospective, prevalence study was conducted to characterize the ultrasonographic, histopathologic, and spermatozoal morphology abnormalities present in a group of yearling tropic hair rams on the island of St. Kitts. Hyperechoic and shadowing abnormalities increased over a 6 month study period. Hyperechoic abnormalities were present in one or both testes in 89% (25/28) of yearling rams and 71% (40/56) of testes at castration. Shadowing abnormalities were present in one or both testes in 46% (13/28) of rams and 34% (19/56) of testes at castration. Shadowing was present more with moderate and severe hyperechoic abnormalities, with few testes in the mild category having any shadowing. As hyperechoic and shadowing abnormalities increased in severity, so did the severity of microscopic lesions including increased interstitial cellularity/fibrosis, interstitial mineralization, seminiferous tubules mineralization (hyperechoic only), and chronic lymphoplasmacytic orchitis. There were no spermatozoal morphologic abnormalities other than an increase in distal cytoplasmic droplets. The study findings detail a pathologic event in this group of yearling rams that has an unknown etiology. Potential causes may include scrotal insulation, trauma, infectious causes, immunity alterations, nutritional imbalances, and ingestion of a toxin.Further studies are required to elucidate the causative agent. K E Y W O R D Sdegeneration, histology, ovine, testicular ultrasound 338

Anatomical and ultrasonographic characteristics of testicular abscesses and testicular microlithiasis：a case study of 5 kazakh rams

“…A review of the breeding records of the farm shows that rams are usually used for 5-6 years and have a life expectancy of 5-8 years (up to 12 years). In addition, TM may be induced by inflammation caused by different disease processes inside and outside the testicles (Dascanio et al, 2019). Because of its characteristic sonogram, the diagnosis can be confirmed without invasive puncture biopsy.…”

“…During clinical examination, some rams are found to have diseases of the testes and epididymis, some of which can be initially diagnosed by B-mode ultrasound, such as abscesses and microliths, but there may be other diseases such as orchitis, epididymitis, hematomas, granulomas and early tumors that require other tests to be combined to confirm the diagnosis (Dascanio et al, 2019). Diagnostic operations such as pathological puncture biopsies and cytological examinations can be performed under ultrasound guidance to shorten the diagnostic time, reduce pain and pinpoint the lesion site.…”

“…The main causes of testicular abscess are bacterial infection, decreased immunity, trauma, and surgical complications. The main routes of bacterial infection are the urinary tract, blood or lymphatic vessels (Santos et al, 2019;Ferreras et al, 2007). In other cases, some less common surgeries, such as penile surgery and vasectomy, may also lead to testicular abscesses.…”