Prognosis and treatment

PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Prognosis

  • The prognosis in testicular degeneration is variable depending upon the causative factors, the duration and degree of the degeneration and the age and value of the male.
  • Although testicular degeneration can occur rapidly within a few hours, days or a week or more, recovery is very slow usually requiring 3 to 6 months or more in moderate to severe cases.
  • The prognosis in slight or mild case of testicular degeneration in young or middle aged bulls due to transient and correctable causes is fair to good.
  • Controlled breeding during the recovery period may result in fair to good fertility in some males.
  • The prognosis is guarded to fair in young males with only moderate evidence of testicular degeneration, in older males suddenly developing infertility due to a transient disease where advanced testicular changes do not occur; in mild cases of trauma to the testes.
  • The prognosis is poor in progressive senile testicular degeneration, in acute severe orchitis especially if it is bilateral and associated with abscessation, in advanced fibrosis and atrophy of the testes, in degeneration associated with hypoplasia in young to middle-aged males, and in older males with bilateral tumors of the testes.

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Treatment

The treatment of testicular degeneration requires the correction or the alleviation of the causative factors

  • Sexual rest is usually advised, since in most case, fertility is reduced to a point where the use of the male is questionable.
  • Males with mild degrees of degeneration not severely influencing fertility should be used sparingly so as to maintain as large number of normal, motile spermatozoa in each ejaculate.
  • A balanced ration high in vitamin A and possibly a good quality and variety of protein are indicated.
  • Good quality roughage or pasture is highly desirable.
  • Some exercise is usually recommended for the larger farm animals.
  • If excessive heat and humidity is the cause of the temporary infertility in bulls, air conditioning or cooling is indicated.
  • Hormones are of no proven value: Testosterone, various FSH products, and thyroxine have been tried but none have any demonstrated effect in the therapy of testicular degeneration or hypoplasis.
  • In acute orchitis, sexual rest is imperative.
  • Physical rest is usually advisable and can be provided by close confinement of the male.
  • In the early acute stages heavy parenteral broad-range antibiotic therapy is indicated.
  • Glucocorticoid agents along with the antibiotics might be helpful in reducing the inflammatory reaction.
  • Ice packs should be applied to the testes by a suitable sling or bag fixed between the legs and tied over the back.This therapy should be continued until the acute, severe symptoms have subsided.
  • When the orchitis is unilateral, removal of the affected testis may hasten recovery or save the breeding life of a valuable male.The testis should be examined carefully and cultured after removal to detect the responsible agent so that suitable precautions can then be taken for the future use of the sire if his fertility returns.

    The Brucella-infected bull or boar should not be used either artificially or naturally.

  • Heat or a mild counter-irritant ointment to the inflamed testis and swollen scrotum should never be used.
  • The preferred treatment for testicular tumors is prompt castration or removal of the affected testis. If metastases have occurred, symptoms caused by the secondary tumors will usually develop within a few months.
  • Cryptorchid testes should be removed to prevent the occurrence of tumors in later life.

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Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 9:45 AM