Testicular Hypoplasia
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- TESTICULAR HYPOPLASIA
Maybe spontaneous or associated with intersex or cryptorchidism. Can occur in all species. Is confined to descended testicles (cf. cryptorchid testes). May be bilateral and/or unilateral. Usually detected at or after puberty because of lowered / lack of fertility. Development of accessory genitalia is normal, i.e. hormone secretion unimpaired.
Aetiology:
- Genetic factors:sex-linked autosomal recessive gene (Swedish Red cattle).
- Environmental factors:Zn deficiency,ecological/organo-phosphorous compounds?
- Hormonal factors:endocrine deficiency.
- Chromosomal abnormalities:XXY Klinefelters syndrome - all species. Male tortoiseshell cats (XXY).
Gross:small, freely movable in scrotum.
Histologically:mild (<50% of tubules hypoplastic) to severe, seminiferous tubules small lined by Sertoli cells only. No significant inflammatory reaction
Information by kind permission of Professor R W Else