Pathology of vas deferens and ampullitis

PATHOLOGY OF THE VAS DEFERENS AND AMPULLITIS

  • Infection and inflammation of the vas deferens is usually associated with an orchitis, epididymitis, or seminal vesiculitis.
  • Infection of the vas deferens apparently occurs less commonly in animals in which the ampullae or dilated proximal portions of the vas deferens are absent.
  • In the stallion and bull, infections with organisms such as B.abortus, Streptococci, C.pyogenes, tubercle bacillus, P. aeurginosa, and others including viruses, have been observed.
  • Segmental aplasia may occasionally be present in the vas deferens, usually unilaterally.

Careful rectal examination will usually reveal a thickened, firm and possibly painful enlargement when ampullae are diseased.

  • Semen examination may reveal leukocytes and the infective organisms.
  • In some cases the semen contains clots of pus and the motility of the spermatozoa is poor.
  • If the motility is good immediately after ejaculation, the spermatozoa often lose their motility rapidly on storage.
  • In cases of segmental aplasia where the missing segment is near the urethra, the ampullae may become greatly enlarged and distended with spermatozoa but no inflammatory reaction is present.
  • Often the seminal vesicle on the same side of the missing segment is also hypoplastic or absent.
  • Treatment of infected or diseased ampullae is similar to treatment for seminal vesiculitis.

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Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 9:46 AM