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Case Reports
. 2025 Apr 11:12:1571637.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1571637. eCollection 2025.

Case Report: Reproductive evaluation of a Murgese stallion with obstructive azoospermia, accumulation of hyaline material in the ampullae ducts, and corpora amylacea in vesicular glands

Roberta Bucci  1 , Salvatore Parrillo  1 , Monica Probo  2 , Vincenzo Varasano  1 , Anastasia Romano  1 , Augusto Carluccio  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Case Report: Reproductive evaluation of a Murgese stallion with obstructive azoospermia, accumulation of hyaline material in the ampullae ducts, and corpora amylacea in vesicular glands

Roberta Bucci et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

This report aims to present a case of obstructive azoospermia in a stud stallion diagnosed with an alkaline phosphatase (SPAP) assessment. A 20-year-old Murgese stallion is referred for acquired azoospermia. History is negative for reproductive disorders, and clinical examinations and ultrasonography of internal and external genitalia do not reveal significant alterations. Semen collection highlights the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate and the urinalysis is negative for spermatozoa. SPAP assay is performed on seminal plasma, with a value of 30 IU/L, compatible with obstructive azoospermia. A biopsy is performed, detecting the presence of complete germ lines in both testes. A resolution is attempted endoscopically, gently insufflating ampullae, with negative results, so the stallion is excluded from breeding. Time afterwards, the stallion dies of natural causes, and necropsy and histopathological analyses are performed. Corpora amylacea are highlighted in both seminal vesicles; the right and left ampullae show ectasic lumen, with the diffuse presence of hyaline material. Ampullae obstruction is an uncommon pathology, which can affect stallions and jacks, generally caused by the accumulation of spermatozoa, but, unfortunately, this case was unresponsive to attempted treatments. Interestingly, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of corpora amylacea in equine stallion sexual glands.

Keywords: alkaline phosphatase; breeding soundness evaluation; corpora amylacea; endoscopy; equine andrology; obstructive azoospermia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Findings of clinical examination: (a) ultrasonographic visualization of right ampulla; (b) testicular biopsy, spermatogenesis is evident in seminiferous tubules; (c) endoscopic visualization of the urethral opening of ampullae. (d) Detail of ampullae cannulation and insufflation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Accessory sexual glands, dorsal view. The left ampulla (LA) and left vesicular gland (LV) are larger than the opposite ones (RA; RV).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Stallion. Genital tract. (a) Spermatogenesis is evident in seminiferous tubules (black asterisks), although degenerative changes are also present in contiguous tubules (black arrowheads). (b) Ampullary glands are filled and distended by hyaline substance, which occasionally show a lamellar concentric appearance (black arrowhead). (c) Likewise, the lumina of seminal vesicles appear ectasic and filled with mineralized material, which often shows a prominent lamellar structure (black asterisk). Hematoxylin and eosin stain. Final magnification: x200 (a), x100 (b,c).
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