Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Mar 2023)

Case report: Long term follow-up of a large unilateral epididymal cyst in a stallion used for teaching: Is this condition associated with infertility?

  • Gabriela Fernandes Silva,
  • Raquel Cunha,
  • Raquel Cunha,
  • Fátima Carvalho,
  • Mário Ribeiro,
  • António Rocha,
  • António Rocha,
  • Irina Amorim,
  • Irina Amorim,
  • Irina Amorim,
  • Tiago Guimarães,
  • Tiago Guimarães

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1145742
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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A 30-year-old Lusitano stallion presented with an enlarged right epididymis. The ultrasound scan revealed a cyst-like formation and the histopathological examination was compatible with epididymal cyst located at the body/tail transition, epididymal spermatocele and sperm granuloma and epididymitis. However, these conditions did not seem to affect the animal's reproductive performance, nor did the semen parameters analyzed over the 8 years after the diagnosis show significant changes. Nevertheless, since the ejaculate contains mostly sperm cells from the tail of the epididymis, where fertile spermatozoa are stored until ejaculated, a deep knowledge of the different conditions that can affect this organ is of the utmost importance.

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