US EPA

450031 

Journal Article 

Bilateral testicular atrophy caused by generalised spontaneous atherosclerosis in a Golden Retriever 

Aupperle, H; Petermann, A; Buschatz, S; Reischauer, A; Schoon, HA 

2006 

34 

6 

421-424 

German 

Objective: Presentation of a bilateral testicular atrophy in a 10-year-old Golden Retriever and discussion of the pathogenesis. Material and methods: Clinical and pathological case report of a dog. Results: Bilateral testicular atrophy was caused by severe atherosclerosis of the spermatic cords. Similar lesions were seen in arteries of the heart, spleen, brain, kidneys and lymphnodes. However, the aetiology of the spontaneous atherosclerosis in this case remained unclear, because hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, chlamydial infection and feeding mistakes could be excluded. Conclusion: Atherosclerosis in dogs is uncommon, but may lead to testicular degeneration, atrophy and fibrosis if it affects the spermatic cord. Clinical relevance: Bilateral testicular atrophy caused by atherosclerosis of the spermatic cords has not been described previously. 

testicular atrophy; atherosclerosis; spermatic cord; dog; histopathology; primary hypothyroidism; diabetes-mellitus; lesions; dogs