Hydrosalpinx in dairy goats: Occurrence, ultrasound diagnosis, macro- and microscopic characterization

Hydrosalpinx is an oviduct disease that can compromise female fertility. This study describes the occurrence and characterization of hydrosalpinx in dairy goats and proposes a new approach for an accurate diagnosis of hydrosalpinx by using transrectal ultrasonography (US). The data were collected from 2579 goats subjected to US exams. Six goats had their reproductive tracts collected post mortem and macroscopically and microscopically examined. A total of 28 cases of hydrosalpinx (1.1%) were detected: 27 Saanen goats and one Alpine goat. Among these, 22.2% (6/27) had previously shown other reproductive disorders such as spontaneous abortion (3.7%), follicular cysts (3.7%) and hydrometra (14.8%). Only the oldest goat (12 years old) was pluriparous with history of previous reproductive success, while 27 nulliparous females ranged in age from one to eight years old. The US exams revealed a fluid-filled, rounded structure ( >24 mm) formed by the accumulation of fluid inside the oviduct lumen of the affected goats. The infundibulum was the most commonly affected region, and contained rounded structures up to 100 mm in diameter. The ampulla was the second most commonly affected structure, and minor changes were observed in the isthmus. In one of the 28 positive cases, the presence of bilateral hydrosalpinx was identified. Microscopically, at the infundibulum and ampulla, a decrease and/or absence of the mucosal folds with subsequent reduction of the epithelial surface area was noted. In conclusion, hydrosalpinx may be successfully diagnosed in goats via transrectal US. The occurrence rate of hydrosalpinx in this study reveals the importance of an accurate diagnosis and a strong possibility that hydrosalpinx has been underdiagnosed and neglected in this species.