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Varicocele
Synonym(s): Dilation & tortuosity, veins, spermatic cord, pampiniform, cremaster, pampiniform plexus, cremasteric veins, testicle, testicular, swelling, scrotum, scrotal
Introduction
- Dilation and tortuosity of the veins of the pampiniform plexus and the cremasteric veins can result in varicoceles.
- Cause: unknown.
- Signs: dark red nodules 1-3cm diameter in the fascia of the spermatic cord proximal to the testis.
- Diagnosis: clinical examination, ultrasound.
- Treatment: none.
- Prognosis: larger varicoceles may affect thermoregulation of the testis, resulting in subfertility or testicular degeneration.
Age predisposition
- Incidence may increase with age.
Cost considerations
- This condition may be associated with a reduction in fertility either due to pain and a resultant reluctance to mount or if thermoregulatory mechanisms are compromised leading to testicular degeneration.
- This could result in lost productivity and the loss of a bull in loss of use cases.
- Veterinary costs for investigation of this condition may involve a visit fee, clinical examination, ultrasound examination and cytology with fine needle aspirate biopsy.
Special risks
- Iatrogenic hemorrhage and trauma with ultrasound guided biopsy on investigation.
- Dramatic hemorrhage with rupture.
- Changes associated with larger varicoceles include testicular mineralization, which suggests a deficiency in the thermoregulatory mechanism of the testis. This may result in subfertility or testicular degeneration.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Dilation and tortuosity of the veins of the pampiniform plexus and the cremasteric veins can result in varicoceles.
- The etiology is unknown but, in humans, deficiency of valves in veins draining the testis is considered likely. Deficiency of elastic and fibrous tissue in surrounding fascia is another possibility.
- Varicocele is sometimes observed in stallions and in about 1 to 2 per cent of rams, in which occurrence increases with age, but is rare in the bull.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Statham, J M E (2010) Differential diagnosis of scrotal enlargement in bulls. In Practice 32, 2-9.
- Penny C (2009) The development of a UK bull breeding soundness evaluation certificate. Cattle Practice 17, 64-70.
- Eppink E (2006) A survey of bull breeding soundness evaluations in the south east of Scotland. Cattle Practice 13, 205-209.
- Penny C (2005) Practical semen collection and examination techniques for breeding soundness evaluation of bulls. Cattle Practice 13, 199-204.
- McGowan M (2004) Approach to conducting bull breeding soundness evaluations. In Practice 26, 485-491.
Other sources of information
- MSD Manual (2016) Reproductive System. In: Merck Veterinary Manual. 11th edn. Merck & Co Inc, Kenilworth, USA. pp 1321-1408.
- Chenoweth P (2015) Bull Health and Breeding Soundness. In: Bovine Medicine. 3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, UK. pp 246-261.
- Logue D N & Crawshaw W M (2004) Bull Infertility. In: Bovine Medicine – Diseases and Husbandry of Cattle. 2nd edn. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, UK. pp 594-626.
- Entwistle K & Fordyce G (2003) Evaluating and Reporting Bull Fertility. In: Australian Association of Cattle Veterinarians. Brisbane, Australia.