Fibrolipoma of a Cryptorchid Testis in a Young Bull

Abstract

ABSTRACT. A six-month-old Japanese Black bull was found to have no left testis in the scrotum. A fist-sized mass was palpated per rectum. Two months later, hCG was injected and blood samples were collected before and after injection. No testosterone response to hCG was observed. On the cut surface of the excised mass, most of the mass was composed of homogeneous adipose-like tissue. The rest of the surface was composed of a well-circumscribed testicular parenchyma-like tissue (18  16  15 mm). Histology revealed diffusely distributed mature adipocytes and septa of fibrous connective tissue. Neither germ cells nor spermatozoa were observed in the seminiferous tubules. A diagnosis was made of fibrolipoma and aspermatogenesis of the left cryptorchid testis.KEY WORDS: cattle, cryptorchidism, fibrolipoma, testosterone concentrations.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 73(9): 1253-1255, 2011 Cryptorchidism is rare in cattle in comparison with other domestic animal species such as horses, dogs and pigs [1,20], and testicular neoplasia in cattle has been seldom described [6]. This short communication describes a case of bovine testicular fibrolipoma in a young bull with unilateral cryptorchidism.A six-month-old Japanese Black bull, from which a normal right testis had been removed, was found to have no left testis in the scrotum. On rectal examination, a mass of approximately 10  10  8 cm was palpated to the left of the bladder. No other clinical signs were observed and the animal had a normal appetite.When the bull was eight months old, plasma testosterone concentrations were measured. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG; 3000 IU) was injected intramuscularly. Peripheral blood samples were collected five minutes before (D0), three days after (D3) and five days after (D5) injection. Plasma testosterone concentrations, determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay (Architect analyser i2000, Abbott Japan Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), were 422, 468 and 363 pg/ml on D0, D3 and D5, respectively.At nine months old, the bull was hospitalised. Transrectal ultrasonography of the mass was performed using Bmode equipment (LogiqBook XP, General Electric Company, Fairfield, CT, U.S.A.) and a linear 8.0 MHz transd u c e r ( T 7 3 9 -R S , G e n e r a l E l e c t r i c C o m p a n y ) . Ultrasonography depicted a structure with a loss of homogenous echogenicity consistent with testicular parenchyma, and loss of the hyperechoic line of the mediastinum testis and with multiple hyperechoic areas. On rectal palpation, no abnormalities were detected in the internal accessory sex glands and other organs in the abdominal cavities.Laparotomy was performed through a left paramedian incision to excise the mass. The mass (10.5 × 9.5 × 7.0 cm, 415 g) had an elastic texture and was enclosed by a smooth, glistening, vascular capsule (Fig 1a). On the cut surface, most of the interior of the mass was milky-white and composed of homogeneous adipose-like tissue. The rest of the surface was composed of a well-circumscribed testicular parenchyma-like tissue, measuring 18 × 16...

Giant Fibrolipoma in the Distal Limb of a Cow

“…O presente relato descreveu um caso raro de fibrolipoma em uma vaca leiteira de 4 anos de idade. A ocorrência dessa neoplasia em bovinos é pouco relatada na literatura que descreve somente 3 casos [9,13,15].…”

“…No presente relato, a remoção cirúrgica da neoplasia resultou em completa recuperação do animal, que não apresentou recidivas e retornou à atividade produtiva, abordagem também empregada em outros casos de fibrolipoma em bovinos [9,15]. A completa exérese cirúrgica é considerada o tratamento de escolha nesses casos e deve ser realizada o mais rapidamente possível com efetiva remoção da neoplasia e acompanhamento do paciente, a fim de evitar recidivas e promover a completa recuperação do animal [3].…”

“…As características histológicas da neoplasia do presente caso são semelhantes às descritas em relatos de fibrolipomas na região retroparietal da do crânio de um novilho [13] e no testículo intra-abdominal de um bezerro [15]. Histologicamente, os fibrolipomas se caracterizam pela presença de tecido fibroso dissecante, com predomínio de fibras de colágeno entremeadas ao lipoma típico [18].…”

Usefulness of computed tomography for cryptorchidism in bulls

“…If a testis (or testes) remains intact, cryptorchid bulls may develop heavy musculature and aggressive male behavior in the fattening phase and present problems in terms of both meat quality and husbandry management [ 10 , 15 ]. Moreover, retained testes may increase the risk of tumors, and a case of young bull with cryptorchidism and testicular tumor has been reported [ 12 ]. Hence, it is extremely important to accurately identify the retained testis and remove it during the early stage.…”

Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in standing bulls

“…If left intact, cryptorchid bulls may develop heavy musculature and aggressive male behavior later in the fattening phase, posing a challenge to the producers in terms of both meat quality and husbandry management [ 20 ]. In addition, cryptorchid testes are associated with an increased risk of tumor, and development of a tumor within a cryptorchid testis has also been reported in Japanese Black cattle [ 16 ]. Thus, early castration is strongly recommended for affected animals.…”