Reproductive pathology in the male Flashcards
Describe the features of cryptorchidism (small testis)
Incomplete descent of testis
Retained between kidney and inguinal canal
Often hypoplastic
Increased risk of tumour formation
Describe testicular hypoplasia
Congenital or pre-puberty
Not observed until after puberty
Nutrition (e.g., Zn deficiency), genetic, endocrine abnormalities
Most common in cattle, sheep and goat
Can be unilateral or bilateral
Describe the microscopy of testicular hypoplasia
absent/ incomplete spermatogenesis with hypoplastic and normal tubules often intermingled
DEscribe testicular atrophy/degeneration
After puberty
Common cause for male infertility
Unilateral or bilateral
Small - firm consistency (chronic)
What are the potential causes of testicular atrophy/degeneration
infections
increased scrotal temp
decreased testicular blood supply
vitamin A or Zn deficiency
drug reactions
radiation damage
obstruction
hyperoestrogenism
Describe the microscopy of testicular atrophy/degeneration
absent/ incomplete spermatogenesis with hypoplastic and normal tubules often intermingled (similar to hypoplasia
+/- fibrosis, multinucleated spermatids
Describe epididymitis
inflammation of the epididymis
important in rams and dogs
Affects tails of epididymis
Can cause secondary testicular atrophy/degeneration
mostly due to ascending infection (accessory glands, urinary tract)
Identify this pathology
spermatic granuloma
Identify this pathology
Epididymitis
What are the main types of testicular neoplasia?
- Seminoma (germ cell tumour; also teratoma)
- Interstitial (Leydig) cell tumour
- Sertoli cell tumour.
Almost always benign
Describe seminomas of the testicles
Derived from spermatogonia
Causes swelling and pain
More prevalent in retained testicles
Describe the gross pathology of seminomas
cream bulging mass
Describe the microscopy of seminomas
polyhedral cells
large nucleus
thin rim of cytoplasm
mitoses are frequent
Describe testicular sertoli cell tumours
50% occur in retained testes
Around 1/3 secrete oestrogen (and/or inhibin) => feminisation
Cause testicular enlargement
Describe the gross appearance of sertoli cell tumours
Firm, white lobulated mass
White to brown
Fibrous
Cystic
Describe the microscopy of testicular sertoli cell tumours
Sertoli cells multi-layered in tubules or invading interstitial tissue.
Abundant fibrous tissue
Describe interstitial (leydig) cell tumours of the testicles
No testicular enlargement
Some produce hormones
Most common testicular neoplasia
Describe the gross appearance of testicular interstitial (leydig) cell tumours
Single or multiple
Spherical
Tan to orange
haemorrhagic (bulging on cut surface)
Describe the microscopy of testicular interstitial (leydig) cell tumours
polyhedral cells packed in small groups by fine fibrous stroma
Describe the relative frequencies of different prostatic disease
most common in dogs
Hyperplasia> Inflammation (prostatitis) > Neoplasia
Describe prostatic hyperplasia
Common in old entire dogs
Causes constipation/urinary stasis
Castration causes atrophy
Oestrogens act synergistically with androgens to potentiate hyperplasia of epithelium
Describe the gross appearance of prostatic hyperplasia
bilateral
symmetrically larger
Describe the microscopy of prostatic hyperplasia
hyperplasia and papillary proliferation of the glandular tissue
stromal hyperplasia
Describe the features of prostatitis
often found with hyperplasia in old dogs
Mostly caused by ascending bacterial infection
Chronic cases may be subclinical
Untreated cases can develop peritonitis or septicaemia
Describe the gross appearance of prostatitis
asymmetrical enlargement
may contain abscesses
Describe the features or prostatic carcinoma
most common in older dogs
Castration does not prevent or treat
Metastasis is common (lymph node, lung, bond)
What are the clinical signs of prostatic carcinoma?
constipation
urinary stasis
cachexia (loss of muscle and fat
Locomotion abnormalities
Describe the gross appearance of prostatic carcinoma
asymmetrical mild enlargement
Describe the microscopy of prostatic carcinoma
haphazardly arranged glandular cells invading interstitium
marked fibrosis
What is this pathology?
Prostatic carcinoma
what is this disease?
prostatitis
What is this disease?
prostatic hyperplasia
What is this tumour?
Interstitial (leydig) cell tumour
What is this tumour?
sertoli cell tumour
What is this tumour?
seminoma
What is this disease?
Testicular atrophy/degeneration
What is this disease?
Testicular hypoplasia
