Testis - Spermatocele

comment:
A spermatocele refers to the cystic accumulation or impaction of spermatozoa in a seminiferous tubule or duct causing it to increase to more than twice its normal diameter. If the diameter is less than this, the term “sperm stasis” should be used (see Testis - Sperm Stasis). If the accumulation is accompanied by an inflammatory reaction, the term “sperm granuloma” should be used (see Testis - Sperm Granuloma). Spermatoceles occur more commonly in the epididymis, but they are also sometimes seen within the testis, and particularly within the subcapsular rete testis of the mouse ( Figure 1

recommendation:
Spermatocele should be diagnosed when present, but need not be graded. They should be discussed in the pathology narrative only if they are considered treatment related. Bilateral involvement should be recorded when present.references:
Creasy D, Bube A, de Rijk E, Kandori H, Kuwahara M, Masson R, Nolte T, Reams R, Regan K, Rehm S, Rogerson P, Whitney K. (2012). Proliferative and nonproliferative lesions of the rat and mouse male reproductive system. Toxicol Pathol 40:40S-121S. Abstract: https://doi.org/10.1177/0192623312454337
Gordon LR, Majka JA, Boorman GA. 1996. Spontaneous nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions and experimentally induced neoplasms of the testes and accessory sex glands. In: Pathobiology of the Aging Mouse, Vol 1 (Mohr U, Dungworth DL, Capen CC, Carlton WW, Sundberg JP, Ward JM, eds). ILSI Press, Washington, DC, 421-441. Abstract: http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008994685
Itoh M, Li XQ, Miyamoto K, Takeuchi Y. 1999. Degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium with aging is a cause of spermatoceles. Int J Androl 22:91-96. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10194640
Web page last updated on: August 19, 2014