Ultrasonographic and quantitative histologic assessment of sequelae to testicular biopsy in stallions.
Abstract: A sample of testicular parenchymal tissue, approximately 2 x 7 x 7 mm, was aseptically removed from 1 testis in each of 9 stallions on day 0. Slight to moderate hemorrhage from the tunica albuginea was observed in 8 stallions, but bleeding from the parenchyma was detected in only 2 stallions. Stallions were castrated 27 days later. Normal development of granulation tissue was evident at the biopsy site, but hematomas were not observed. In situ measurement of the widths of the right and left testes, total scrotal width, and evaluation of testicular echogenicity during ultrasonography were variables used to monitor changes in the testicular parenchyma from 14 days before biopsy through 27 days after biopsy. The control testis was consistently larger than the biopsied testis, except for day 3. Ultrasonography revealed signs of a localized change in the parenchyma of the biopsied testis in 4 stallions, but each lesion decreased in size by day 27. Tissues removed during biopsy enabled an excellent appraisal of spermatogenesis at that time. Detailed examinations of seminiferous tubules in the testes were performed to assess for damage to testicular function. At castration, samples were taken from 6 sites in each testis. Quantitative histologic evaluations of testicular tissues revealed low numbers of spherical spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes in biopsied testes, compared with control testes. It was concluded that there was a transitory increase in degeneration of preleptotene spermatocytes and B spermatogonia at the time of biopsy. A mild inflammatory response at the biopsy site in some testes was evidenced by an increased number of leukocytes at the biopsy site and at a dorsal site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1992-11-01 PubMed ID: 1466506
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examined the after-effects of testicular biopsy in stallions, focusing on ultrasound and histological analysis. The procedure did not considerably impair testicular function, although some inflammation and transient increase in degeneration of certain cell types were observed.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted a testicular biopsy in nine stallions, removing a small piece of testicular tissue measuring approximately 2 x 7 x 7 mm from one testicle in each stallion.
- Slight to moderate bleeding occurred in eight stallions from the outer surface of the testicle (tunica albuginea), but bleeding from the inner tissue (parenchyma) was observed in only two.
- Following the biopsy, the stallions were castrated after 27 days.
- The researchers used ultrasonography to track changes in the testicular parenchyma from 14 days before the biopsy to 27 days post-biopsy.
Observations and Results
- The development of granulation tissue, the new connective tissue that forms on the surface of a wound, was normal at the biopsy site and no hematomas were observed.
- The researchers also noted a change in the testicular parenchyma in the biopsied testicle in four stallions using ultrasonography, but these signs decreased by day 27.
- Examination of the testicular tissue removed during biopsy revealed excellent information about the process of sperm production (spermatogenesis).
- Upon castration, samples were collected from six different sites within each testicle.
Post-Biopsy Effects on Testicular Function
- In more detailed assessments, lower counts of certain kinds of sperm cells (spherical spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes) were found in the biopsied testicles compared to the control ones.
- The researchers observed a temporary increase in the degeneration of early-stage sperm cells (preleptotene spermatocytes and B spermatogonia) at the time of biopsy.
- They also noted a mild inflammatory response in some testicles, revealed by an increased number of white blood cells (leukocytes) at the biopsy site and at a dorsal site.
Conclusion
- From the analysis, it was concluded that testicular biopsy results in certain temporary changes in the stallions’ testicles, including a mild inflammatory response and increased cell degeneration, but did not have a significant or long-lasting impact on testicular function.
Cite This Article
APA
DelVento VR, Amann RP, Trotter GW, Veeramachaneni DN, Squires EL.
(1992).
Ultrasonographic and quantitative histologic assessment of sequelae to testicular biopsy in stallions.
Am J Vet Res, 53(11), 2094-2101.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biopsy / adverse effects
- Biopsy / veterinary
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Male
- Testis / diagnostic imaging
- Testis / injuries
- Testis / pathology
- Ultrasonography
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