Testosterone concentration in a bovine Bos indicus with bilateral varicocele: case report

Abstract

A bovine, Bos indicus, with bilateral varicocele diagnosticed by palpation and ultrasound observation was observed during 24 months measuring scrotal circumference, semen quality, testosterone concentrations comparing with seasonal variation and other animals of the same species. The abnormal morphology of major defects and minor defects didn't change between the bull and the other animals, however, the total defects were higher during the summer in the bull with varicocele (49,9%±6,9) when compared with the other bulls (27,9%±2,9). The animal showed higher percentage of major defects during the summer, comparing with the other seasons of the year. For the animal with varicocele testosterone levels were significantly higher during the different season's of the year, whereas decreasing levels in the summer were seen in all Bos indicus. The clinical diagnostic was confirmed by necropsy. This pathology, characterized by a bilateral varicocele with thrombosis of the spermatic cord vessels, showed that the thermoregulation suffered establishing severe testicular degeneration. As seric testosterone increased suggesting lack of steroid retention at the testicle by the pampiniform plexus, the sperm production was abnormal.