Testicular hypoplasia

Testicular hypoplasia is congenital and hereditary in

origin caused by single recessive autosomal gene
with incomplete penetrance. This is characterised by
lack or marked reduction of spermatogonia in one or
both gonads during fetal life. This condition is
observed in bulls, buffaloes, rams and stallions.
• Testicular hypoplasia may affect one
testis (unilateral) or both testes
(bilateral). This condition was
thoroughly investigated in Swedish
cattle by Eriksson (1943), Lagerlof
(1951) and Settergren (1964).
• The degree of hypoplasia varies from
partial to complete and only in bilateral
complete hypoplasia the animals are
sterile. The affected testis is reduced in
size. depending on the degree of
involvement. The development of other
genital organs is normal. In bilateral
cases, both the testes are smaller than
the normal size. Left sided hypoplasia
is more common than the right sided.
Sexual desire is not affected
• The semen picture is characterised by
low concentration of sperm, low
motility, higher incidence of proximal
cytoplasmic droplets and abnormal
spermatozoa, In bilateral cases, semen
samples are clear and watery contain­
ing few or no sperm.
• Histological examination of the testis
reveals that the seminiferous tubules
are lined by a layer of sertoli cells and
perhaps a basal layer of stem cells or
spermatogonia, which do not show
mitotic activity. The basement
membrane is of normal thickness.
• Prognosis is very poor if it is of
hereditary origin and such bulls should
not be used for breeding purposes.
This condition is not amenable to
treatment.