CASTRATION AND ITS EFFECT ON CANINE SERTOLI CELL TUMOR

In this segment I would like to share some experience with Canine testicular tumors-  sertoli cel tumor and seminoma  which is a testosterone dependent tumor seen in un-castrated old male dogs. Testosterone is the male hormone that is universal in all male species. When it comes to dogs, the hormone has multiple role in their behavior and also in their social order and structure.  As dogs grow, crosses his adolescence of 18 months, steep hike in the testosterone trigger secondary sex-related characteristics like  mounting, lifting of leg and higher levels of aggression.The causes for canine aggression are of great concern for many dog owners.

A male dog when presented with signs of feminisation like well developed teats, gyaenecomastia , bilateral alopecia and enlarged testicle, it is a sure case to be suspected for sertoli cell tumor.

Testicular tumors are common in dogs and account for 90% of all cancers arising from the canine male genitalia . Sertoli cell tumor is a testicular tumor arising from the Sertoli cells located within the seminiferous tubules. Several factors are believed to influence the development of testicular tumors, including cryptorchidism, age, breed and exposure to environmental carcinogens . German shepherd dogs, Afghan hounds, Weimaraners and Shetland sheepdogs appear to have an increased risk of developing primary testicular tumors. Both Sertoli cell tumors and seminomas are associated with intra-abdominal or inguinal cryptorchidism and these tumors develop the male feminizing syndrome, from the production of estrogen and estrogen-type hormones .

This six year old intact male GSD , had bilateral symmetric alopecia and hyperpigmentation with gradual weight loss three months prior to presentation of the case. On palpation and detailed examination , large pedunculated mass was found at the site of left testicle and the right testicle was absent on the scrotal sac. The animal had characteristic signs of feminisation with well-developed teats and subcutaneous cystic swelling seen close to the teats at the inguinal region

Signs of feminization , contralateral testicular atrophy, squamous metaplasia within the prostate gland, symmetrical alopecia, and bone marrow atrophy are common symptoms noticed in sertoli cell tumor. In the present case the animal had signs of feminisation as evidenced by  Gynecomastia and presence of cystic swelling near the inguinal teat which may be attributed to the excess estrogen . Cryptorchidism has been associated with testicular tumors in animals and human . Tubular arrangement of the neoplastic Sertoli cells with cord-like and diffuse pattern is regarded as a common histo-pathological findings in Sertoli cell tumors.  In the present case, the animal successfully recovered after the operation. The third month post-operative evaluation showed complete reversion of the feminisation and till date no re-occurrence of tumor was noticed.

 

YOU CAN WATCH A PRESENTATION ON SERTOLI CELL TUMOR IN THE GSD DOG BELOW

EFFECT OF CASTRATION

From the animal behavior point of view, there are two kinds of aggression seen in dogs , fear aggression and dominance aggression. Fear aggression results from previous experience of being attacked, or because they feel they are unable to escape a particular situation. As a Vet, I had encountered this response in some patients in the second visits.  

Many owners complain that the dog mounts on every one . Mounting behavior against humans is a land mark of  puberty. This is normal but demands castration if the dog shows the symptom even in adult stage.

Castration may be recommended where aggression between dogs is orientated towards other males and where fear aggression has been ruled out. Castration may reduce the desire to dominate and reduce overall aggression thresholds.

The advantages of castration can be enlisted in two headings

Behavioral advantage which includes

decreased roaming,

decreased aggression,

increased concentration

Well focused traits of army dogs may be attributed to the early castration

Medical advantages of castration  includes prevention of

Testicular tumors- seminoma and sertoli cell tumor

Perianal hernia

Perianal tumor

All male species suffer from begnign prostatic hyperplasia .An intact male dog shows the sign of difficulty in defecation and urination and the main cause will be that of an enlarged prostate.

Testosterone dependent prostatic enlargement needs castration and this for this reason Castration is recommended for all male dogs.