Unilateral cryptorchidism induces morphological changes of testes and hyperplasia of Sertoli cells in a dog

초록

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common genital defects in dogs. This study investigated the effects ofabdominal cryptorchidism on morphology, cell proliferation, and Sertoli cell condition in a dog withspontaneous unilateral cryptorchidism. Elective orchidectomy was performed on the abdominal righttestis and the scrotal left testis. Significant reductions in numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, andspermatids were observed in hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the cryptorchid testis. The size ofthe epididymal duct was smaller than that of the control testis. Based on Ki67 immunohistochemistry, theproliferative activity of spermatogonia and spermatocytes was significantly decreased in the cryptorchidtestis. However, proliferative activity was increased in the epididymal duct. Based on GATA-4 immunohistochemistry,Sertoli cells were relatively resistant to cryptorchidism, and the proliferative activity ofSertoli cells was markedly increased in the cryptorchid testis than in the control testis. These resultssuggest that spontaneous unilateral cryptorchidism causes morphological defects in spermatogonia andspermatocytes in the testis and changes the size of the efferent ductule of the epididymis. In addition,spontaneous unilateral cryptorchidism increases proliferative activity of Sertoli cells, which may be apredisposing factor for Sertoli cell cancer in cryptorchid testes.

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