Abstract
A diffuse skin thickening lesion with partial nodular formation in the dorsal lumbar area was found in a 6-year-old male rabbit. Skin biopsy of the nodular lesion revealed a thin epidermis and abundant collagen production in the dermis and subcutis with atrophy of appendages. Findings were mostly consistent with human scleroderma. Three months after the initial examination, enlargement of the left testis was noted, and castration was performed. Histopathological examination demonstrated that both testes were Leydig cell tumors. The high serum testosterone level before castration decreased to within a normal range after castration with partial improvement of the skin lesions. These findings suggest that the Leydig cell tumors in this case caused secretion of excessive testosterone, possibly contributing to the formation of a scleroderma-like lesion.
