Male Reproductive Disorders - Donkey

Most conditions affecting horses can be found in donkeys and the diagnostic approach to infertility is similar to that used in stallions (Tibary, 2005). Testicular descent may be delayed until two or three years of age. In donkeys, the authors (Tibary, A., Sghiri, A. & Bakkoury, M.) have seen several cases of cryptorchidism, haemospermia and ejaculation failure.

Oestrone sulphate levels are not a good indicator of the presence of testicular tissue and CANNOT be used to differentiate between cryptorchid males and geldings displaying male behaviour (Arrighi and Bosu, 1989). A standard technique for the diagnosis of cryptorchidism is to determine testosterone levels before and at 2 hours and 24 hours after intravenous administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (6,000-10,000 IUhCG). Males with testicular tissue should have a circulating testosterone level greater than 100 pg/ml or should register at least a twofold increase in testosterone concentration after hCG challenge.

Castration tends to result in a higher incidence of haemorrhage complications. This is not the case for mules. Ectopic testicles (Ragab and Mostafa, 1993), interstitial cell tumours (Panebianco, 1960) and infectious epididymitis (Schebitz and Hansen, 1959) have been reported. In the authors’ (Tibary, A., Sghiri, A. & Bakkoury, M.) experience, testicular degeneration is common and may be due to nutritional causes and heavy parasitism. Orchitis may be caused by strongyle larva migrans.

References

• Tibary, A., Sghiri, A. & Bakkoury, M. (2008) Reproduction In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 17

REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS - DONKEY

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