AN ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE TESTIS AND EPIDIDYMIS FOLLOWING EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED UNILATERAL ISCHEMIA IN MALE GOATS AND RAMS.

Abstract

A study was conducted to explore the use of ultrasound imaging in assessing the progressive development of testicular and epididymal lesions in male goats and rams. For this purpose, ultrasound imaging of the testis and related structures was carried out fortnightly for 20 weeks following unilateral ligation of the testicular artery and veins in four goats and three rams. Following this, these animals were killed, their testes and epididymides removed and examined for gross and histopathological lesions. Ultrasonographically, within 24 hours, the ligated testis showed a reduced echogenicity and was mottled in appearance. There was a thin layer of anechoic fluid between the testicular tunics which later contained a network of hyperechogenic fibrin. The tunica albuginea was hyperechogenic, probably due to fibrosis. The testis was atrophied and showed a diffused coagulative necrosis postmortem. The epididyrnal tail in the beginning was reduced in echogenicity and had lost its heterogenous texture. Later, it showed increased echogenicity due to marked fibrosis, and was atrophied, except in one goat in which it appeared enlarged and showed chronic epididymitis with cystic dilatation of the tubules histologically. Ultrasound imaging appears to be a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing the progressive development of testicular and epididymal lesions.