Bowel incarceration within the vaginal tunic in a three-and-half-year-old bilaterally cryptorchid Lhasa Apso

Background Cryptorchidism in dogs is of clinical concern due to its association with development of Sertoli cell tumours, seminomas and spermatic cord torsion. A patent inguinal ring has been found as a risk factor for peritoneal content migration and inguinal hernias. This study reports a case of bowel migration through a patent inguinal ring in a bilaterally cryptorchid dog and incarceration within the vaginal tunic of the left testicle. Case presentation A three-and-a-half-year-old bilaterally cryptorchid Lhasa Apso with a history of anorexia, vomiting, stranguria and inability to defecate was diagnosed with bowel incarceration in the vaginal tunic of a retained left testicle. Surgery performed under epidural anaesthesia with acepromazine/butorphanol premedication revealed a loop of the colon entrapped in the vaginal tunic of the retained left testicle. The incarcerated bowel was thoroughly examined for viability and repositioned into the abdominal cavity. The inguinal ring was repaired and bilateral cryptorchidectomy performed. Conclusion Cryptorchidectomy in dogs is often considered when there is concern for neoplasm or torsion of retained testes. However, this report suggests that cryptorchidectomy should be considered also to preclude the possibility of bowel obstructive emergencies.

Suppression of Sertoli cell tumour development during the first wave of spermatogenesis in inhibin α-deficient mice

A dynamic partnership between follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and activin is required for normal Sertoli cell development and fertility. Disruptions to this partnership trigger Sertoli cells to deviate from their normal developmental pathway, as observed in inhibin α-knockout (Inha-KO) mice, which feature Sertoli cell tumours in adulthood. Here, we identified the developmental windows by which adult Sertoli cell tumourigenesis is most FSH sensitive. FSH was suppressed for 7 days in Inha-KO mice and wild-type littermates during the 1st, 2nd or 4th week after birth and culled in the 5th week to assess the effect on adult Sertoli cell development. Tumour growth was profoundly reduced in adult Inha-KO mice in response to FSH suppression during Weeks 1 and 2, but not Week 4. Proliferative Sertoli cells were markedly reduced in adult Inha-KO mice following FSH suppression during Weeks 1, 2 or 4, resulting in levels similar to those in wild-type mice, with greatest effect observed at the 2 week time point. Apoptotic Sertoli cells increased in adult Inha-KO mice after FSH suppression during Week 4. In conclusion, acute FSH suppression during the 1st or 2nd week after birth in Inha-KO mice profoundly suppresses Sertoli cell tumour progression, probably by inhibiting proliferation in the adult, with early postnatal Sertoli cells being most sensitive to FSH action.

Expression of Selected Markers in Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Canine and Human Testicular Tumours

Immunohistochemical profiles of the most common canine testicular tumours, including the Leydig cell tumours, seminomas, and Sertoli cell tumours were analysed, and the results were compared with those obtained in the corresponding types of human testicular neoplasms. The expressions of vimentin, von Willebrand factor (FVIII), chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and MCM3 were quantified. In the case of Sertoli cell tumours, only canine ones were analysed, since this type of tumour is very rarely diagnosed in men. The expression of the analysed proteins in the testicular tumours was similar. The von Willebrand factor exhibited the strongest expression in Leydig cell tumours in dogs and men, while vimentin was expressed more strongly in dogs (96.7% had an intensity at +++) than in men (62.5% had +++) in the Leydigioma. The immunoexpression of MCM3 in seminomas was high in both men and dogs – 90% +++ and 100% +++ respectively. The lack of chromogranin A and synaptophysin was observed in almost 100% of seminomas in men and dogs. This differed from the results obtained for Leydigioma, where chromogranin A was expressed in 70% of dogs at +++ and in 100% of men at ++++. The results may indicate that the antibodies were selected correctly. Their analysis and interpretation provides valuable information concerning the nature of the studied tumours.

A Unique Case of a Malignant Sertoli Cell Tumour with Cutaneous Metastasis

Pure Sertoli cell tumours (SCTs) represent less than 1% of testicular neoplasms and malignant forms are rare. We present a unique case of a 69-year-old man who initially underwent inguinal orchidectomy for a malignant SCT. He then subsequently developed a paraumbilical cutaneous lesion which was histologically identical to the primary tumour. SCTs rarely metastasise. This is the first case of SCT with cutaneous metastasis described in the literature.

Use of antibodies against LH receptor, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and vimentin to characterize different types of testicular tumour in dogs

Testicular tumours in dogs are of Sertoli cell, Leydig cell or germinal origin and mixed tumours are also frequently observed. The cellular components of mixed tumours are usually identified by histological examination but sometimes this is difficult. In this study, a panel of specific antibodies was used to identify the different cell types in testicular tumours by immunohistochemistry. Leydig cells were identified using an antibody against the LH receptor and an antibody against the steroidogenic enzyme 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD), both of which are characteristic of Leydig cells in testes. Sertoli cells were identified using an antibody against the intermediate filament vimentin. Seminoma cells did not stain with any of these antibodies. Vimentin was used only in histologically complex cases. Eighty-six tumours, diagnosed histologically as 29 Sertoli cell tumours, 25 Leydig cell tumours, 19 seminomas and 13 mixed tumours, were studied. Feminization was observed in 17 dogs. Leydig cell tumours stained positively with the antibodies against the LH receptor and 3beta-HSD, whereas seminomas and Sertoli cell tumours were negative (unstained). The antibody against vimentin stained both Sertoli and Leydig cells, and tumours arising from these cells, but not seminomas. Immunohistochemistry revealed that three tumours identified histologically as Sertoli cell tumours were actually Leydig cell tumours. In 14 dogs the histological diagnosis appeared to be incomplete, as mixed tumours instead of pure types of tumours were identified in 11 dogs, and in three dogs mixed tumours appeared to be pure types. Hence, the histological diagnosis was insufficient in approximately 20% of dogs. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of testis tumours revealed that feminization occurred in dogs with Sertoli cell tumours or Leydig cell tumours and their combinations, but not in dogs with a seminoma. In conclusion, incubation with antibodies against LH receptor and 3beta-HSD proved to be a consistently reliable method for identification of Leydig cell tumours in dogs. Vimentin can be used to discriminate between Sertoli cell tumours and seminomas. Overall, this panel of antibodies can be very useful for determination of the identity of testicular tumours in which histological characterization is complicated and the pathogenesis of feminization is not clear.