Scrotal hydrocele in an Angus bull

A 5 year old, Angus, bull presented with a history of left testicular swelling. Ultrasonography of scrotum revealed a normal appearing right testis and the presence of fluid containing strands of hyperechoic material surrounding left testis. No bowel was appreciated within the scrotum. Semen evaluation revealed decreased numbers of sperm with adequate motility. White blood cells were present on the semen slide and proximal droplets were seen within individual sperm. The fluid surrounding left testis indicated unilateral scrotal hydrocele. Hydrocele is an abnormal accumulation of serous or inflammatory fluid within the vaginal cavity of testis. ¹ In mature bulls, hydrocele results from local inflammation or trauma. ² Most commonly, scrotal hydroceles present with swelling in scrotum.³  Ultrasonographic examination reveals varying amounts of anechoic fluid surrounding the epididymis and testis with normal testicular echotexture. ^3,4 With fluid accumulation, testicular thermoregulation is disrupted, resulting in decreased semen quality. ³ Treatment of this condition is directed at removing the inciting cause of fluid accumulation. ³ In this case, a hemicastration of left testis was performed with the possibility of regaining reproductive potential. Cystorelin (GnRH) was administered to increase spermatogenesis in the remaining testis. At re-examination, appropriate postoperative healing was noted. A semen sample obtained via electro-ejaculation had 16% normal cells, 79% cells having primary abnormalities and 5% cells having secondary abnormalities. Other parameters of the breeding soundness examination were concluded to be within normal limits. The scrotal circumference was 29 cm. Prognosis for reproductive performance in bulls with unilateral hydrocele is good with prompt removal of affected testis. ³ Since spermatogenesis can be impaired for 2 - 6 months following testicular insult, final recommendations regarding fertility should only be made after allowing adequate time for recovery.^3,5 

Keywords: Hydrocele, bull, castration, BSE, ultrasonography

References

1. Bartholomew AB, Caudle AB, Peroni JF: Unusual clinical presentation of scrotal hydrocele in a Tennessee walking stallion. Equine Rounds Compendium, 2003;632-634.
2. Abbitt B, Fiske R, Craig T: Scrotal hydrocele secondary to ascites in 28 bulls. J Amer Vet Med Educ 1995;207:533-756.
3. Smith BP, Van Metre DC, Pusterla N: Large Animal Internal Medicine (6 th edition), 2020, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 1513.
4. Abu-Seida AMA: Ultrasonographic diagnosis of some scrotal swellings in bulls. Pak Vet J 2012;32:78-381.
5. Shore MD, Bretzlaff KN, Thomson JA, et al: Outcome of scrotal hydrocele in 26 bulls. J Amer Vet Med Educ 1995; 207:6,757-760.

This manuscript was originally published in the journal Clinical Theriogenology Vol 12(3) Sept 2020.  Clinical Theriogenology is the official journal of the Society for Theriogenology (SFT) and the American College of Theriogenologists (ACT).  This content has been reproduced on the IVIS website with the explicit permission of the SFT/ACT.