First report of a spermatic granuloma and varicocele in a marsupial: A Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Case Study.

This study reports the first documented clinical case of a spermatic granuloma and varicocele in a marsupial. Initial clinical presentation included gross morphological changes in the left scrotal cord, epididymis and testis. Ultrasonography of the scrotum and spermatic cord, and gross and histopathological examination after hemicastration, confirmed the condition as a spermatic granuloma affecting the left caput epididymis, with a varicocele in the left proximal spermatic cord, which was causing azoospermia and infertility. Semen quality and serum testosterone secretion following a GnRH challenge was assessed prior to, and following surgery. After hemi-castration, an increase in androgen secretion to within normal reference ranges for the koala was observed with a subsequent increase in semen production and sperm quality resulting in the sire of a pouch young, 12months later.

Diagnostic applications of ultrasonography to stallion's reproductive tract.

Although ultrasound evaluation of the reproductive tract of stallions was introduced to veterinary practice long ago, this examination is not always conducted during routine breeding soundness evaluation. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of routine ultrasound evaluation of the stallion's reproductive tract. Breeding soundness evaluation of 113 stallions was performed, including ultrasonography of external and internal genitalia. Various pathological conditions were detected using this technique, with the most frequent being varicocele, thickened vaginal tunics and cystic structures. Varicocele and thickened vaginal tunics were associated with decreased quality of semen, while cysts of the epididymal head, urethra and uterus masculinus were frequently associated with ejaculatory problems. These findings suggested that routine ultrasound evaluation of breeding stallions may be very helpful in detecting pathological conditions that may impact their reproductive career.

[Case report: varicocele in a ram]. / Fallbericht: Varikozele beim Widder.

In a 7 year old ram a partly fluctuating mass proximal to the left testicle was diagnosed as varicocele. On ultrasound examination non-echogenic tortuous areas were present. Spermatologic examination revealed an oligozoospermia and an oligokinespermia. Considering the poor prognosis, the ram was slaughtered and the diagnosis of varicocele could be verified on post mortem examination.

Pathology of varicocele in the ram.

A total of 40 mature or aged rams with spontaneous varicocele detected by scrotal palpation were subjected to detailed necropsy examination. Varicocele was bilateral in 22 rams or was located on the left or right sides only, in 8 and 10 rams, respectively. This distribution contrasted with varicocele in man in which the left side is involved in 70 to 100% of cases. Mean sizes of varicoceles in mm (length x diameter) were 117 x 46 and 104 x 45 for the left and right sides, respectively, and they were located high in the pampiniform plexus, approximately 100 mm from the dorsal pole of the corresponding testis. All varicoceles were thrombosed. Changes associated with large varicoceles included testicular mineralisation and occluding thrombosis of testicular vessels. Total testis weight-bodyweight ratio in rams with varicocele (5.8 to 6.4 x 10(-3] was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than in normal (control) rams from the same flocks (7.9 x 10(-3] suggesting that some degree of testicular atrophy resulted from presence of a varicocele.

Abnormal spermatozoa, testicular degeneration, and varicocele in a ram.

A 4-year-old Corriedale ram, with a history of infertility, had 50% abnormal acrosomes in the ejaculate resembling knobbed spermatozoa. Electron microscopic profiles of the apical segment of the affected acrosomes revealed a membrane-enclosed inclusion or cyst filled with particulate matter. The abnormal acrosomes were combined with a high prevalence of other degenerative changes such as head abnormalities, proximal droplets, and loose heads. Spermatozoa were examined from 9 ejaculates collected over an 8-month period. Abnormal acrosomes decreased to 5% after 4 months, but increased to 83% a month later. Examination of the testes after castration revealed bilateral varicocele and degeneration of seminiferous epithelium.