Chronic Psoroptes ovis Infestation Induces Testicular Degeneration and Submandibular Gland Hypertrophy in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

BACKGROUND: infestation on the histomorphology of testicular and submandibular (chinning) gland tissues of infected rabbits. METHODS: Glands were obtained from experimentally infested and healthy rabbits, processed for inclusion in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. RESULTS: Testicular degeneration and submandibular gland hypertrophy were observed. In the testes of infested rabbits, lumen area and perimeter, seminiferous tubule area, tubule perimeter and diameter, increased. Conversely, germinal epithelium thickness and Johnsen scores of spermatogenic scale decreased, indicating impaired spermatogenesis. In the submandibular gland, lumen area and perimeter, and the total duct area and perimeter were increased. In addition, the area and perimeter of the acini also increased, while the number of acini decreased, consistent with glandular hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: The acarosis markedly alters the morphometric characteristics of both tissues, highlighting that psoroptic mange exerts a systemic effect on reproduction of the host altering non-dermal tissues with key roles in male reproductive function and chemical communication.