Unilateral Hormonally Active Testicular Sertoli Cell Tumour and Feminization Syndrome in a Bernese Mountain Dog With Normally Descended Testes.
- 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Abstract
To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and successful outcome of a hormonally active testicular Sertoli cell tumour (SCT) in a non-cryptorchid Bernese Mountain Dog. A 10-year-old intact male dog was evaluated with a history of progressive alopecia, gynaecomastia and haematuria. Diagnostic investigations included complete blood count, serum biochemistry, oestradiol assay, abdominal and testicular ultrasonography, preputial cytology and histopathological examination following bilateral orchiectomy. Clinical signs included bilaterally symmetrical alopecia, hyperpigmentation and a pendulous prepuce. Laboratory findings revealed mild non-regenerative anaemia and severe hyperestrogenism (oestradiol: 119 pg/mL). Preputial cytology showed a predominance of superficial epithelial cells (> 80%), supporting the state of hyperestrogenism. Ultrasonography identified a large, vascularized left testicular mass and cystic prostatic changes. Histopathology confirmed an SCT. Following surgery, clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities resolved completely within 9 months. This case emphasizes that SCTs should be a differential diagnosis for feminization syndrome in older dogs even without cryptorchidism. It also highlights preputial cytology as a rapid and effective minimally invasive tool for the preliminary identification of hyperestrogenism.
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BibTeX
@article{federica2026unilateral,
title = {{Unilateral Hormonally Active Testicular Sertoli Cell Tumour and Feminization Syndrome in a Bernese Mountain Dog With Normally Descended Testes.}},
author = {Ariu Federica and Burrai Giovanni Pietro and Cubeddu Francesca and Masala Gerolamo and Moalli Marzia and Antuofermo Elisabetta and Corda Francesca and Pinna Parpaglia Maria Luisa and Corda Andrea},
journal = {Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1111/rda.70323},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42969429},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Unilateral Hormonally Active Testicular Sertoli Cell Tumour and Feminization Syndrome in a Bernese Mountain Dog With Normally Descended Testes.
AU - Ariu Federica
AU - Burrai Giovanni Pietro
AU - Cubeddu Francesca
AU - Masala Gerolamo
AU - Moalli Marzia
AU - Antuofermo Elisabetta
AU - Corda Francesca
AU - Pinna Parpaglia Maria Luisa
AU - Corda Andrea
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
DO - 10.1111/rda.70323
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42969429
AB - To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and successful outcome of a hormonally active testicular Sertoli cell tumour (SCT) in a non-cryptorchid Bernese Mountain Dog. A 10-year-old intact male dog was evaluated with a history of progressive alopecia, gynaecomastia and haematuria. Diagnostic investigations included complete blood count, serum biochemistry, oestradiol assay, abdominal and testicular ultrasonography, preputial cytology and histopathological examination following bilateral orchiectomy. Clinical signs included bilaterally symmetrical alopecia, hyperpigmentation and a pendulous prepuce. Laboratory findings revealed mild non-regenerative anaemia and severe hyperestrogenism (oestradiol: 119 pg/mL). Preputial cytology showed a predominance of superficial epithelial cells (> 80%), supporting the state of hyperestrogenism. Ultrasonography identified a large, vascularized left testicular mass and cystic prostatic changes. Histopathology confirmed an SCT. Following surgery, clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities resolved completely within 9 months. This case emphasizes that SCTs should be a differential diagnosis for feminization syndrome in older dogs even without cryptorchidism. It also highlights preputial cytology as a rapid and effective minimally invasive tool for the preliminary identification of hyperestrogenism.
SN - 0936-6768
SN - 1439-0531
ER -