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Clinical, hormonal and ultrasonograph approaches to diagnosing cryptorchidism in horses.
Abstract: Cryptorchidism is a partial or total failure of testicular descent. For a proper diagnosis different methods are required. The main aim of this study was to compare different diagnostic methods. Sixty two horses (15 stallions, 32 cryptorchids and 15 geldings) were used in the experiment. They were clinically examined and ultrasonography was used to locate the testes. Blood samples were taken from the animals to measure the plasma level of testosterone and total estrogen (RIA method). In 22 horses suspected of cryptorchidism, the hCG stimulation test was performed. Blood samples were taken every 20 minutes for 8 hours and then 24 and 48 hours after injection. Clinical examination had a 60% success rate in detecting superficial and profound canal cryptorchids. Inguinal ultrasonography had a 100% rate of detection when the retained testes were in the area of the internal or external inguinal ring. The rate of detection with abdominal cryptorchids was 72.7%. The highest levels of testosterone were found in stallions' blood (2.3 ng/ml), they were lower in cryptorchids (0.68 ng/ml) and lowest in geldings (0.15 ng/ml). Total estrogen levels revealed a similar tendency (respectively: 395 pg/ml, 228 pg/ml and 26 pg/ml). Administration of hCG usually increased the level of testosterone from 0.68 ng/ml to 1.05 ng/ml 60 minutes after injection. We found that to successfully diagnose cryptorchids in veterinary practice a combination of clinical, ultrasonographic and hormonal examinations should be used.
Publication Date: 2010-11-03 PubMed ID: 21033561 The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research paper explores the use of different diagnostic methods for identifying cryptorchidism – a condition where one or both of the testes fail to descend – in horses. The study’s findings suggest that the most effective approach involves a combination of clinical examination, ultrasound imaging, and hormonal measurements.
Research Methodology
- The research involved 62 horses with different sexual characteristics; 15 stallions (intact males), 32 cryptorchids (males with undescended testes), and 15 geldings (castrated males).
- All the horses underwent clinical examinations, with ultrasound imaging used to locate the testes in each animal.
- Blood samples were taken from the horses to measure the plasma levels of testosterone and total estrogen using the Radioimmunoassay (RIA) method.
- In 22 horses suspected of being cryptorchid, a hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) stimulation test was performed, where the response to an injected hormone was measured at regular intervals up to 48 hours post-injection.
Results of the Study
- The clinical examination proved to be 60% successful in detecting cryptorchidism where the condition was evident in either the superficial and profound canal cryptorchids.
- The use of inguinal ultrasonography – an ultrasound of the groin area – had a 100% success rate in detecting undescended testes near the internal or external inguinal ring. However, this rate dropped to 72.7% when the condition involved abdominal cryptorchids (testes retained within the abdomen).
- Quantitative results from blood tests showed the highest levels of testosterone were present in the stallions (2.3 ng/ml), lower levels in the cryptorchids (0.68 ng/ml) and the lowest in geldings (0.15 ng/ml). A similar trend was observed in the total estrogen levels.
- The administration of hCG increased the level of testosterone from 0.68 ng/ml to 1.05 ng/ml in cryptorchids within 60 minutes of injection.
Conclusion of the Study
- The study concludes that in order to effectively diagnose cryptorchidism in horses, it is recommended to use a combination of clinical examination, ultrasonography, and hormonal measurements.
- This mixed-method approach can help yield more accurate results and aid in the correct diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Raś A, Rapacz A, Raś-Noryńska M, Janowski TE.
(2010).
Clinical, hormonal and ultrasonograph approaches to diagnosing cryptorchidism in horses.
Pol J Vet Sci, 13(3), 473-477.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 14, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. andrzej.ras@wp.pl
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chorionic Gonadotropin
- Cryptorchidism / blood
- Cryptorchidism / diagnosis
- Cryptorchidism / diagnostic imaging
- Cryptorchidism / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / congenital
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Injections, Intravenous
- Male
- Testis / abnormalities
- Testis / diagnostic imaging
- Testosterone / blood
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Spada S, De Felice D, Calabria A, Carletti F, Nogueira Aires LP, Vignoli M, Rosto M, Russo M. Computed Tomography Assessment of Retained Testes in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 16;15(10).
- Carbonari A, Lillo E, Cicirelli V, Sciorsci RL, Rizzo A. The Use of Abdominal Ultrasound to Improve the Cryptorchidectomy of Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 9;12(14).
- Witkowski M, Pardyak L, Pawlicki P, Galuszka A, Profaska-Szymik M, Plachno BJ, Kantor S, Duliban M, Kotula-Balak M. The G-Protein-Coupled Membrane Estrogen Receptor Is Present in Horse Cryptorchid Testes and Mediates Downstream Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Jul 1;22(13).
- Toishi Y, Tsunoda N, Nagata SI, Kirisawa R, Nagaoka K, Watanabe G, Yanagawa Y, Katagiri S, Taya K. Evaluation of the chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay system for the measurement of testosterone in the serum and whole blood of stallions. J Reprod Dev 2018 Feb 27;64(1):41-47.
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