Azoospermia associated with bilateral segmental aplasia of the ductus deferens in a stallion

Abstract

A 3-year-old Quarter Horse halter stallion was referred for routine semen evaluation. Physically, the stallion's reproductive organs appeared normal. Repeated semen evaluations did not reveal any spermatozoa. Because high activities of alkaline phosphatase are detected in the epididymal fluid and indicative of complete ejaculation, alkaline phosphatase activities were analyzed in several samples, which yielded activities far less than reference values and suggested a blockage of the reproductive tract. Endoscopic evaluation of the urethra and the bulbourethral, prostate, and urethral gland ducts did not reveal abnormalities. The left ductus deferens was exposed surgically, and attempts to pass a catheter through it in a normograde direction met resistance after 20 cm. Laparoscopic abdominal surgery revealed the ductus deferens tapered to a thin structure just cranial to the entrance in the urogenital fold, cranial and lateral to the bladder. Both ductus deferentia were similarly affected. The symmetry and bilateral nature of the abnormalities were strong indications of a possible congenital defect.