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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Virus and Prion Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #234729
Title: Spontaneous Idiopathic Arteritis of the Testicular Artery in Raccoons (Procyon lotor)

Author
item Hamir, Amirali
item Palmer, Mitchell
item Li, Hong
item Stasko, Judith
item ROGERS, DOUG - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Veterinary Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/2009
Publication Date: 11/1/2009
Citation: Hamir, A.N., Palmer, M., Li, H., Stasko, J., Rogers, D.G. 2009. Spontaneous Idiopathic Arteritis of the Testicular Artery in Raccoons (Procyon lotor). Veterinary Pathology. 46(6):1129-1132.

Interpretive Summary: Testicular tissues of six different age-groups of raccoons were examined for presence of inflammatory changes in blood vessels. All groups revealed individuals with arteritis. These lesions were seen in laboratory-confined experimental and control animals as well as in wild-caught raccoons. Pathological agents were not identified at the affected sites. Since arteritis was seen in all the groups of raccoons, the lesions were not attributed to the experimental administration of infectious agents. To our knowledge arteritis confined to the testicular artery has not previously been documented in raccoons. We hope that this communication will serve as a stimulus for others to further investigate this condition in raccoons.

Technical Abstract: The testes and the spermatic cord of raccoons (Procyon lotor, kits to adult breeders; n=48) were examined. Segmental arteritis confined to the extra-testicular portions of the testicular artery was present in raccoons of all ages. The arterial changes were seen in laboratory-confined experimental and control animals as well as in wild-caught raccoons. The lesions consisted of proliferative endarteritis with presence of inflammatory cells within the intema, media and the adventitial regions of most affected vessels. Some aspects of the proliferative arterial lesions were reminiscent of systemic necrotizing vasculitis (polyarteritis nodosa), an immunologically mediated condition of animals and humans. Etiological agents were not identified at the affected sites. Arteritis was not attributed to the administration of infectious agents because it was present in raccoons of all age and origin. To our knowledge multifocal arteritis confined to the testicular artery has not previously been documented in raccoons.