Shore M D, Bretzlaff K N, Thompson J A, Magee D D
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.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1995 Sep 15;207(6):757-60.
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.
