160 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



I have found no records of fertility in hermaphrodites of 

 the equine or other species. 



B. Arrests in the Development of the Male Genitalia 



1. Arrests and Aberrations in the Development 

 of the Testes 



Anorchidy, or complete absence of the testicles, except in 

 neuters as described above, is exceedingly rare in domestic 

 animals. That is, if some other portions of the male genital 

 system are present in approximately normal development, 

 the testicles, however aberrant or arrested in development, 

 are regularly present. Anorchidy is repeatedly mentioned 

 in veterinary literature, but the basis for the assertion is 

 not quite clear. I have observed one horse, sold as a colt 

 for breeding purposes, which showed no testicles or scro- 

 tum, had no sexual desire, and lacked the form and voice of 

 the stallion. The penis, prepuce, and sheath were fully de- 

 veloped. Since no rectal or post-mortem examination was 

 made, a positive diagnosis of anorchidy was not practicable. 

 I doubt its occurrence. The testis is so fundamental in the 

 genital system that, in its absence, I am inclined to doubt 

 the formation of such accessories as penis, prepuce and 

 sheath. 



Practical anorchidy does, however, occur, as in the horse 

 just described. In castrating a cryptorchid colt, the hidden 

 testis was represented by a small, calcareous node, render- 

 ing him to all practical purposes a true monorchid. 



2. Cryptorchidy 



Cryptorchidy, or the retention of one or both testes within 

 the abdominal cavity, is common in domestic animals. It 

 is commonest in horses and boars. As a rule — surely in 98 

 per cent. — cryptorchidy is due to simple arrest in develop- 

 ment. Occasionally a dermoid cyst is at fault. I have seen 

 a pig in which the cryptorchid testicle was the seat of ma- 

 lignant growth. These new-growths will be considered un- 

 der tumors of the genitalia. The typical cryptorchid tes- 

 ticle is small, soft, and fetal in type, anatomically and his- 

 tologically. 



