Expression of anti‐Müllerian hormone, CDKN1B, connexin 43, androgen receptor and steroidogenic enzymes in the equine cryptorchid testis

Abstract

This study provides a better understanding of the effect of cryptorchidism on testicular function in stallions.

Influence of inbreeding on the incidence of cryptorchidism in males of Lowland-line bison

“…Unilateral cryptorchidism in animals occurs significantly more often than bilateral cryptorchidism (1). The left cryptorchid testis in dogs is usually located in the abdominal cavity, while the right cryptorchid testis can be found in the inguinal canal (1). The cases of cryptorchidism in European bison recorded in our study deviated from this rule, since both left and right cryptorchid testes were found in the inguinal canal.…”

“…The normal development of the gubernaculum is Cryptorchidism can be unilateral or bilateral (30). Unilateral cryptorchidism in animals occurs significantly more often than bilateral cryptorchidism (1). The left cryptorchid testis in dogs is usually located in the abdominal cavity, while the right cryptorchid testis can be found in the inguinal canal (1).…”

Can and should we do more to reduce the incidence of cryptorchidism?

“…Understanding the effects of retention on testicular development is thus crucial when attempting to give evidence-based advice about whether a testicle that finally descends into the scrotum in a 2-to 3-year-old colt still has the capacity to develop into a grossly normal testicle. This explains the value of the report by Almeida et al [1] that the retained testicles from 2-to 3-year-old cryptorchids maintain the molecular characteristics of prepubertal testes. This suggests that retention leads to a delay in development without, at least during the first 3 years, loss of the potential to develop spermatogenetic capacity if and when relocated to a suitable environment, i.e.…”

“…This explains the value of the report by Almeida et al . that the retained testicles from 2‐ to 3‐year‐old cryptorchids maintain the molecular characteristics of prepubertal testes. This suggests that retention leads to a delay in development without, at least during the first 3 years, loss of the potential to develop spermatogenetic capacity if and when relocated to a suitable environment, i.e.…”

“…In short, the study by Almeida et al . is a useful addition to the literature on the effects of cryptorchidism on testicular development and maturation, but also a useful reminder that there is still a lot of research to be done to establish how large a role heritable genetic mutations play in equine cryptorchidism and how widespread any genetic predisposition(s) currently is, in order to determine whether cryptorchidism‐associated genetic mutations differ between horse breeds and/or phenotypic forms of cryptorchidism, and to determine whether there are any firm grounds for promoting phenotypic selection against cryptorchidism or whether selection should instead be based on genetic testing; any proposal should be supported by a prediction of how successful attempts to select against cryptorchidism are likely to be. Although there are therefore considerable challenges to be met, the sequencing of the equine genome and subsequent development of techniques for genome‐wide gene mutation screening means that these hurdles are considerably less daunting than they were a decade ago.…”