Histopathological aspects in testicular tumors in dogs

Abstract

Tumors are one of the most frequent lesions of testicles, affecting especially the cryptorchid ones. We identified 7 cases of testicular neoplasia out of 680 tumor samples from dogs received at the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi, over 4 years (2020-2024): 2 interstitial cell tumors, 1 seminoma and 4 sertoliomas. All of them caused an increase in volume and distorted the shape and surface of the organs. Histopathologically, the sertoliomas displayed an intratubular development, with extensive fibrosis; the seminoma showed a diffuse, disseminated pattern with sporadic necrotic areas, and the Leydig cell tumors proliferated in between and adjacent to the seminiferous tubules, causing numerous necrotic and hemorrhagic foci. In all cases compression atrophy was observed, caused either by the neoplasia or the strong proliferation of fibrous connective tissue. Although testicular tumors are not very frequent in dogs, it is important to determine their type and aggressiveness and also to differentiate them from inflammation that could indicate an infectious disease with zoonotic potential, to establish proper treatment and prognosis.