BILATERAL ABDOMINAL CRYPTORCHIDISM WITH SEVERE TESTICULAR ATROPHY AND SERTOLI CELL-ONLY SYNDROME IN A 15-MONTH-OLD BOERBOEL DOG: A CASE REPORT
Keywords:
necropsy, histopathology, seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis, interstitial fibrosis, canineAbstract
Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital disorder affecting male dogs, with bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism being a rare presentation that often leads to severe testicular pathology. A 15-month-old intact male Boerboel dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, with suspected snake bite injury. The dog died from complications, and a necropsy revealed bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism. Both testes were severely atrophic (left: 3.0 cm length, 5.7 cm circumference; right: 3.2 cm length, 6.8 cm circumference) and located in the intra-abdominal cavity. Histopathological examination revealed a complete absence of spermatogenesis, with seminiferous tubules exhibiting marked atrophy, detachment of the basement membrane, and a Sertoli cell-only pattern. Moderate interstitial fibrosis was present in both testes. This case represents a severe form of bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism resulting in complete reproductive failure. The histopathological findings demonstrate the progressive degenerative changes that occur in retained testes. This case highlights the critical importance of early cryptorchidism detection in young dogs and emphasizes the need for prompt surgical intervention to prevent irreversible testicular damage and complete reproductive failure.
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