Urogenital Disorders
摘要
This chapter explores congenital and inherited urogenital abnormalities in equids, with a particular emphasis on donkeys—a species often underrepresented in veterinary literature. Conditions discussed include intersex and sex-reversal syndromes, cryptorchidism, inguinal hernias, ectopic ureters, and various penile, testicular, and epididymal anomalies. While many of these disorders are well documented in horses, reports in donkeys remain scarce, raising questions about true prevalence versus underdiagnosis. Intersex conditions—particularly male pseudohermaphroditism—are among the more commonly reported anomalies, while true hermaphroditism and sex reversal are exceedingly rare. Cryptorchidism appears to be the most prevalent testicular abnormality in donkeys, primarily presenting as unilateral inguinal retention. Mosaicism, ectopic testes, and polyorchidism are described through isolated case studies. Female reproductive tract tumors, such as granulosa cell tumors and leiomyomas, have also been identified in a limited number of donkeys. Urolithiasis is rarely reported but likely underdiagnosed. Diagnosis of these conditions typically involves physical examination, ultrasonography, histopathology, and genetic testing. Despite limited data, the fundamental mechanisms underlying these disorders appear consistent across equid species. Increased awareness, research, and case documentation are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes in donkeys.