Abnormal spermatozoa, testicular degeneration, and varicocele in a ram.
A 4-year-old Corriedale ram, with a history of infertility, had 50% abnormal acrosomes in the ejaculate resembling knobbed spermatozoa. Electron microscopic profiles of the apical segment of the affected acrosomes revealed a membrane-enclosed inclusion or cyst filled with particulate matter. The abnormal acrosomes were combined with a high prevalence of other degenerative changes such as head abnormalities, proximal droplets, and loose heads. Spermatozoa were examined from 9 ejaculates collected over an 8-month period. Abnormal acrosomes decreased to 5% after 4 months, but increased to 83% a month later. Examination of the testes after castration revealed bilateral varicocele and degeneration of seminiferous epithelium.
D000177:Acrosome / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D014646:Varicocele / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*