Cryptorchidy 161 



The cryptorchid testis does not produce spermatozoa. 

 When one testis has descended into the scrotum, it under- 

 goes compensatorial hypertrophy and functions freely. 

 Monorchids, though the scrotal testicle functions freely, are 

 not desirable as sires, because of the constant peril of the 

 transmission of the defect to the progeny. The condition 

 is beyond remedy in a breeding sense, since the involved 

 testicle can not be induced to function. 



As a rule of practice, cryptorchid animals designed for 

 meat should be slaughtered before sex maturity, if it can be 

 done economically. If desired for work (horse) or as a 

 pet (dog or cat) or if it is to be grown to maturity for meat, 

 castration is indicated. In all domestic animals, cryptor- 

 chidy constantly tends to produce nymphomania. The 

 cryptorchid horse tends strongly to become dangerously 

 vicious when four or five years old, and the viciousness 

 grows with years. In the boar, since the cryptorchid tes- 

 ticle, as soon as the animal reaches sex maturity, taints the 

 meat beyond endurance for human food, castration is essen- 

 tial. The operation of castration, falling within the do- 

 main of ordinary surgery, need not be described here. 



3. Aberration in the Position of the Testis in the 



Scrotum 



In one case I have observed the testicle of a bull caught in 

 its descent before reaching the bottom of the scrotum, ap- 

 parently because the gubernaculum became adherent two or 

 three inches above the fundus of the scrotum or because of a 

 shortness of the mesorchium. The result was that the testis 

 tipped forward at its upper end, coming to rest with its 

 long axis horizontal instead of perpendicular. Thus it lay 

 in the same position as the testicle of the horse. The tes- 

 ticle appeared in every respect physiological. It was of the 

 same size and consistence as its fellow. The bull was fer- 

 tile. No interference was believed desirable. 



4. Arrest in Functional Development of Scrotal 



Testes. Fetal Testis 



An arrest in the development of scrotal testicles some- 

 times occurs, in which they fail to acquire the fundamental 



