title: Outcome of scrotal hydrocele in 26 bulls.
abstract: Changes in scrotal sonograms and semen quality were monitored in 26 bulls with idiopathic scrotal hydrocele over a 4-month period. After 120 days, scrotal hydrocele had resolved (ultrasonographically, fluid was not detectable within the vaginal process) in 85% (22/26) of the bulls. Percentage of bulls with unilateral scrotal hydrocele that resolved was higher than that for bulls with bilateral hydrocele (94 vs 62.5% or 17/18 bulls vs 5/8 bulls, respectively). After 120 days, 77% (20/26) of the bulls passed a breeding soundness evaluation. At 90 days, semen quality was satisfactory in more of the bulls with unilateral disease (9/18) than with bilateral disease (1/8). The finding of multifocal echodensities in the testicular parenchyma was not correlated with a poor breeding soundness score or with a high number of spermatozoal abnormalities. The prognosis for full recovery in bulls with scrotal hydrocele likely depends on the severity and duration of the condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475, USA.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Shore
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Bretzlaff
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012611:Scrotum; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography