Histopathology of Spermatocele of Fowl

Abstract

Many reports have been made on spermatocele in goats and sheep, but only a few on that in swine and cattle, but few on that in chickens. This study was carried out on 45 male chickens, of which seventeen (37.8%) showed spermatocele. It was very difficult to detect spermatocele in chickens clinically. In macroscopic examination, four chickens of the seventeen exhibited such changes as swelling of the epididymis and the presence of an irregular white granular substance in the organ. There were no macroscopical lesions of the testis in any chickens. Histologically, the most characteristic findings of spermatocele were the accumulation of sperms and degeneration of spermatogenic cells in the efferent ductules. These sperm masses were produced in the testis. Sperms passed through the rete testis and accumulated in the efferent ductules, where sperms were calcified. No inflammatory changes were found in the interstitial tissue of the epididymis in any case. Spermatocele was high in occurrence. It was found only in chickens more than 180 days of age. It became higher in occurrence with the advance in age. It was induced by no other disease. There was no relationship between breed and this disease. From these results, it was presumed that age might be the most important factor for the occurrence of this disease. This disease has been called epididymal spermiostasis, spermiostasis and Samenstauung. Spermatocele seemed to be the most suitable of these terms.