Retrograde ejaculation associated spontaneous sperm cystolithiasis in four rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sanjeev Gumber, Emory University; Cynthia L Courtney, Emory University; Karen Strait, Emory University; Prachi Sharma, Emory University; Julie E Freebersyser, Amgen Inc; Maria M Crane, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-11-01
• Publisher: Elsevier: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.etp.2013.05.003
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology
• ISSN: 0940-2993
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 7-8
• Start Page: 1121
• End Page: 1125
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the Yerkes base grant P51 OD011132.
• Keywords: SPERMATOZOA; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; CYNOMOLGUS MONKEY; Rhesus; ELECTROEJACULATION; FLOW; Calculi; Science & Technology; Retrograde; Ejaculation; Sperm; SEMEN; FASCICULARIS; Pathology; MANAGEMENT; Toxicology; URINARY-BLADDER; UROLITHIASIS; COLLECTION
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Biology, Animal Physiology

Abstract

Retrograde ejaculation (RE) has been reported in humans and animals but RE with subsequent sperm calculi has rarely been reported. This report documents clinical and pathological findings of spontaneous sperm cystolithiasis in four rhesus macaques. While this condition has been associated with repeated electroejaculation, spontaneous sperm cystolithiasis is highly unusual. The animals presented with either stranguria, dysuria, hematuria, distended abdomen or lethargy. Ultrasound examination revealed several hyperechoic masses within the lumen of the urinary bladder. The animals were euthanized due to poor prognosis or study end points. Postmortem examination revealed multiple angular, amorphous, soft to firm, pale yellow to greenish-brown and variably sized calculi in the lumen of the urinary bladder or prostatic/penile urethra. Histologically, the calculi were composed of numerous sperm embedded in abundant brightly eosinophilic matrix. Based on gross and histologic findings, RE associated sperm cystolithiasis was diagnosed, with ulcerative urethritis as the major primary apparent etiology. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of four spontaneous cases of sperm cystolithiasis in rhesus macaques.