CHAPTER 36: MALE REPRODUCTIVE DISEASE
Introduction
The male reproductive system is made up of the testes, the scrotum, the epididymis, the spermatic cord, the penis and the prepuce. These structures are located outside the pelvic cavity making it easier to detect dysfunction or disease of the male reproductive tract.
The function of the testes is to produce
and to produce and secrete the male sex
hormone testosterone.
The scrotum is the sac that contains the testes and the spermatic cord. The scrotum functions for protection and thermoregulation of the testes. The epididymis are tightly coiled tubules located on the caudal aspect of the testes that store sperm until ejaculation. The spermatic cord contains the nervous and blood supply for the testes, the cremaster muscle and the vas deferens. The cremaster muscle controls how close the testes are to the body and therefore aids in the of the testes.
The vas deferens is the passageway for sperm that connects the testes to the penis.
The penis is the part of the male anatomy that functions for the excretion of semen and urine from the body. The penis is housed within the prepuce, a fold of skin that covers and protects the flaccid penis. When the penis is lowered for urination or is erect in preparation for coitus it protrudes out of the prepuce.
Breeding Soundness Exams & Diagnostic Tools
Any stallion that is being considered for breeding should undergo a breeding soundness exam to ensure the stallion is fertile and not carrying any diseases that could be passed onto the mare via coitus. Testing semen will also determine the number of mares that stallion should breed/year for optimal health. Many of these exams will also be useful in diagnosis of any reproductive diseases.
• Case History – • Physical exam – • Rectal Exam – • Ultrasound/Endoscope – • Histology Exams - • Cytological Exams (swab) – • Semen quality Test –
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