Testicular hypoplasia in a bull with XX/XY chimerism

Cornell Vet. 1981 Oct;71(4):376-82.

Abstract

A 4-year-old 1/2 Hereford X Bos indicus bull displayed XX/XY chimerism associated with arrested spermatogenesis. Phenotypic examination revealed underdeveloped dorsal neck muscles, a non-pendulous scrotum, testes firm in consistency and a scrotal circumference measurement of 27 cm. On rectal palpation, small seminal vesicles were present and only azoospermic seminal fluid was collected at 3 monthly electroejaculations. Chromosome analysis on 2 monthly batches of leukocyte cultures showed a mean chimeric ratio of 80% of XX:20% XY cells. Cells cultured from skin were all male. Histopathological examination of both testes revealed reduction in size and number of tubules, marked hypoplastic germinal epithelium showing only spermatogonia and a well defined interstitium with large quantities of collagen. The small size of the testes and histological changes were suggestive of a testicular hypoplasia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / genetics*
  • Chimera*
  • Leukocytes / cytology
  • Male
  • Sex Chromosome Aberrations / veterinary*
  • Testis / abnormalities*