Cytology study of feline testis

Abstract

The purpose of the presented research project was to portray the normal testicular cytology of the domestic tomcat. A special focus was put on possible correlations between the amount of the testicular cells in their different degrees of maturity, and serum testosterone levels, age of the animals and seasonality. In n=20 healthy domestic tomcats between 7 and 48 month of age and one cryptorchid cat cytological samples of the testes were obtained by using aspiration cytology prior to orchiectomy. In dogs and in humans Testicular aspiration cytololgy (TEFNA) is regularly and effectively used in reproductive medicine for diagnostic purposes and further processing of obtained specimens (Adhikari, 2009;Mercan et al., 2000; Dahlbom et al., 1997). In this study TEFNA was applied in tomcats to experience a possible potential for its regular utilization. . 40 In n=12 tomcats sperm probes of sperm were obtained with the method of urethral catheterization (CT). In cats urethral catheterization (CT) is a novel and useful method to collect sufficient amount of good quality sperm (Zambelli et al., 2008; Filliers et al., 2010). From the collected cytological and spermatic specimens smears were prepared, stained with diff-quick stain and examined under light microscope. The slide of each left testicle respectively was included in the study. To analyze the correlation of testosterone level, age of the animal and the production of the different testicular cells serum testosterone levels were determined with ELISA assay (DRG® Estradiol, EIA 2693). For the statistical analysis cytology and sperm indices were calculated and Pearson’s model was utilized. The description of normal feline testicular cytology revealed the persistent absence of Leydig cells in all observed preparations. A constant appearance of Sertoli Cells and germinal cells, under which spermatogonia were discovered rarely, could be stated. The appearance and shape of the detected cells were compared with normal canine testicular cells described in a study by Santos et al. (2010), and showed a high degree of similarity (Santos et al., 2010). Sertoli cells only were detected examining the cytology preparations of the cryptorchid testicle. This result does not have representative value since only one specimen was used for this study. By comparing the testosterone level and the volume of prae-spermatic cells no correspondence could be demonstrated. No correlation between the testosterone level and the cytological index and between age and the index could be assessed, and the season did not have any influence on the testosterone level, index number of cytology or production of semen in the healthy tomcats. There was no verifiable coherence between semen index and serum testosterone level, index of cytology and age of the studied animals. The only parameters that correlated were the volume of Sertoli cells and the serum testosterone level, which corresponded positively.