Tubular ectasia of the rete testis in an Angus bull

Abstract

An 18‐month‐old Angus bull presented to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for a routine breeding soundness evaluation and lameness evaluation. He was classified as deferred potential breeder due to a lameness and was donated to the university. Following treatment, the bull's lameness resolved. He passed the breeding soundness examination in accordance with the Society for Theriogenology standards. However, avascular dilated areas at the level of the mediastinum testis of the right testicle were detected via Doppler ultrasonography. A high level of vascularity is routinely seen with neoplasia, such as teratomas. Due to the lack of vascularity, a presumptive diagnosis of tubular ectasia of the rete testis was made. The bull was castrated. The right testicle was submitted for histopathology revealing a definitive diagnosis of tubular ectasia of the rete testis.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the rete testis thickness: a promising approach to differentiate obstructive from nonobstructive azoospermia

“…Waters et al . 16 showed that some cases of OA showed rete testis ectasia. Moreover, it was shown that rete testis development was affected by the endocrine system 17 , 18 and several diseases that cause NOA.…”