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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Domest Anim / Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of dif...
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2024; 59(8); e14706; doi: 10.1111/rda.14706

Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of diffuse seminoma in horses: A case report.

Abstract: The present study describes the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of a case of diffuse seminoma in a 16-year-old male mixed-breed horse. According to the owner, the animal's left testicle had been gradually increasing in size over a period of 2 months. On palpation, the testicle had a firm consistency, with no sensitivity to digital pressure, was adhered to the scrotum and measuring 16 cm × 8 cm. In the ultrasound examination, it presented a heterogeneous texture and areas of hypoechogenic echogenicity without visualization of the mediastinum. Therefore, the bilateral orchiectomy was performed. After the surgical procedure, it was found that the affected testicle presented a firm mass measuring 9 cm × 7 cm × 3.5 cm. Histologically, a multilobulated, non-encapsulated and invasive tumour mass was found, which replaced the seminiferous tubules, consisting of polygonal cells arranged in a mantle that varied from cohesive to loosely cohesive, supported by a scarce fibrous stroma. In the immunohistochemical examination, the neoplastic cells showed positive immunolabelling for OCT4 and C-KIT. In this report, the physical examination combined with the ultrasonographic examination were fundamental to the therapeutic management of the case, and the final diagnosis was made after histopathological and immunohistochemical tests.
© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-08-19 PubMed ID: 39157940DOI: 10.1111/rda.14706Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Diffuse seminoma in a horse was investigated through clinical examination, imaging, and tissue analysis to characterize its morphological and immunohistochemical features, aiding diagnosis and treatment.

Case Description and Clinical Presentation

  • A 16-year-old male mixed-breed horse presented with a progressive enlargement of the left testicle over two months as reported by the owner.
  • Physical examination revealed the left testicle was enlarged, firm in texture, non-painful to pressure, adhered to the scrotum, and measured 16 cm by 8 cm.
  • Ultrasound imaging of the affected testicle showed a heterogeneous internal texture with hypoechogenic (low echo) areas and absence of the normal mediastinum structure, which typically supports the normal testicular architecture.

Diagnostic Imaging and Surgical Intervention

  • The ultrasound findings suggested abnormal testicular tissue, prompting surgical intervention by bilateral orchiectomy (removal of both testicles) for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
  • On gross examination post-surgery, the affected testicle had a firm mass measuring 9 cm by 7 cm by 3.5 cm, indicating substantial involvement by the tumor.

Histopathological Characteristics

  • Microscopic examination revealed a tumor that was multilobulated (divided into multiple lobes), non-encapsulated, and invasive, replacing the normal seminiferous tubules responsible for sperm production.
  • The neoplastic cells were polygonal in shape and arranged in a mantle pattern, where the cells formed a layered arrangement.
  • Cell cohesion varied from tightly clustered to loosely connected, embedded in sparse fibrous connective tissue stroma, indicating limited supportive tissue within the tumor.

Immunohistochemical Findings

  • Immunohistochemistry testing was conducted to identify specific protein markers expressed by the tumor cells.
  • The neoplastic cells showed positive immunolabelling for OCT4 and C-KIT:
    • OCT4 is a transcription factor commonly expressed in germ cell tumors and primordial germ cells, serving as a useful diagnostic marker for seminomas.
    • C-KIT is a receptor tyrosine kinase also typically expressed in germ cell tumors, aiding in confirmation of the tumor’s origin.

Clinical Importance and Diagnostic Approach

  • The combination of physical examination, ultrasound evaluation, and subsequent surgical excision allowed effective management of this seminoma case.
  • Histopathology provided definitive confirmation of the tumor type by revealing morphological details of tumor architecture and cellular features.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis was vital in confirming the neoplastic cells as seminoma through marker expression, differentiating it from other testicular tumors.
  • This case highlights the importance of integrating clinical, imaging, histological, and molecular diagnostic techniques to accurately diagnose and treat diffuse seminoma in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Batista LAS, de Alencar Santos Júnior D, Rodrigues AS, Menezes AA, do Nascimento MJR, de Galiza GJN, de Medeiros Dantas AF, Frade MTS. (2024). Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of diffuse seminoma in horses: A case report. Reprod Domest Anim, 59(8), e14706. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14706

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 8
Pages: e14706

Researcher Affiliations

Batista, Lucas Andrê Silva
  • Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB), Barra, Bahia, Brazil.
de Alencar Santos Júnior, Dinamérico
  • Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB), Barra, Bahia, Brazil.
Rodrigues, Alexandra Soares
  • Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB), Barra, Bahia, Brazil.
Menezes, Artur Azevedo
  • Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
do Nascimento, Maria Jussara Rodrigues
  • Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, Paraíba, Brazil.
de Galiza, Glauco Jose Nogueira
  • Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, Paraíba, Brazil.
de Medeiros Dantas, Antônio Flávio
  • Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, Paraíba, Brazil.
Frade, Maria Talita Soares
  • Federal University of Cariri (UFCA), Crato, Ceará, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Male
  • Animals
  • Seminoma / veterinary
  • Seminoma / pathology
  • Seminoma / surgery
  • Horses
  • Testicular Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / surgery
  • Orchiectomy / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary
  • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / analysis
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / metabolism

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