Horrid Shocking Cryptorchid

[shortstep]

I wanted to know what Cyptorchid was and I still don't know, couldn't be bothered to read the strange thing that was there.

So what is it ??

I am blonde by the way if it is something simple, too tired to get the dictionary out.lol

It's Greek,

Crypt means hidden

Orchid means testicle

Hidden testicle or in reality undescended or retained testicle/s.

It can mean one or both, but the term Monorchid (mon means one) is often used to describe one descended and the other retained.

The testis are present, however if both are retained they are usually very small and they do not function, the dog cannot sire offspring.

If one is descended then it will usually function normally and the dog can sire offspring.

Any undescended testis should be removed as they have a high rate of testicular cancer.

Almost all breeds of dogs and mix breeds will have some amount of cryptochidisum, some breeds have more than others. This is a very ancient genetic defect and was believed to be simple recessive. However, it is certainly not always complete in it's expression, meaning that there are different degrees of being affected, from late dropping all the way to neither testis descending. Most feel that a dog that has late descending testicles is also affected, even if both do eventually descend. It is also often believed that females can carry the gene/s. After 100 years of trying to eliminate this problem it still occurs and in reality very little is known about it how it is passed on through the generations, nor how to eliminate it from a breed.

It is normaly felt that dogs with a retained testicle should never be bred from.

However there is disagreement about using late descenders or siblings of cryptorchids, also about using dogs or bitches again that have produced an affected pup. Today many feel that since the mutation/defect is not life threatening, the dog can be neutered and live a normal life, that the risk of crytporchidium should not be cause for immediate removal of all suspected carriers or related dogs. Another words the diversity of their other genes is of more value to the future of the breed than the risk of them carrying a gene for crytporchid forward. This makes good sense when it is understood that after more than 100 years of trying to eliminate this mutation by culling all potential affected or potential carrier dogs and dogs and bitches that have produced, it still remains in the populations. There will in most cases also be normal male dogs in the litters and often there can be several generations of all normal dogs when it may or may not suddenly rear it's head again. Females may or may not produce it, and their pups, grand pups and great grand pups may go on to never have an affected dog pup. Some may disagree with all of the above and still remove all dogs that are related to an affected dog from any breeding programs.

The hunt for the gene/s goes on. From the sound of this study, that litter size is increased and more males than females are born, it does sound like there might be more than one gene involved or the mutation is somehow affecting the whole litter, causing the increase number of pups and the increased number of males. It really is a very interesting finding.

What also came to my mind when reading this is that increase litter size may not always be related to low levels of inbreeding causing imporved vigor and health. Something to keep in mind if the time ever comes that there is a outside push (say EBVs) which select for increase litter size.

Edited February 26, 2011 by shortstep

[melcatlady]

Well thank you everyone, its good to know if I every go on that million show theres another thing I now know, if just simply put retained testies I would have know have had a boxer with this in the passed it took the vet ages to find them when he was desexed.

This will be something to disscuss around the dinner table to see if anyone knows what the word meas. lol

You sure do learn lots on here.

Have a great day !

[poodlemum]

Can you do a study on......5 minutes of my time that I will never get back?

[LizT]

A cryptorchid is when both testicles havent descended

In research it includes 1 undescended

I was about to ask as this is more common isn't it and I thought it was also referred to as Cryptorchid?

[amy_h]

I had no idea what it was about - so i clicked. Horrid and shocking did lure me in though

[Shazzapug]

I think it is a confirmed case of little mans syndrome.

[Rebanne]

I think it is a confirmed case of little mans syndrome.