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Diagnosis | Preputial gland ectasia and atrophy

Lab Animal volume 40, pages 70–71 (2011)Cite this article

The ulcerated lesion showed a preputial gland containing a dilated duct. There was a marked dermal and subcutaneous inflammatory infiltrate. The infiltrate was chronic to pyogranulomatous in nature, and there was a fistulous tract to the epidermis. A thick serocellular exudate containing bacterial colonies was present overlying the epidermis. The microscopic findings indicated dilation and rupture of the preputial gland duct, and not rupture of the preputial gland itself, as proposed in the clinical diagnosis. Secondary cellulitis and skin ulceration occurred in response to keratin released from the ruptured duct.

Ectasia of the preputial gland has been described as a recognized common progressive change in aging mice1. Typically there are dilated and empty ducts and glands, as well as atrophy of the sebaceous glands, which may be accompanied by focal or diffuse squamous metaplasia. Atrophy can progress to a complete absence of sebaceous cells, leaving only stroma. In one report2, the incidence of ectasia of the preputial gland was 62% in B6C3F1 mice (age not reported) and 29% in CD-1 mice (age not reported).

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Figure 2: Low-power photomicrograph of dilated cystic (excretory) duct lined by flattened epithelial cells and filled with keratin debris.
Figure 3: Diagram of male mouse accessory sex glands (modified from ref. 12).

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Diagnosis | Preputial gland ectasia and atrophy. Lab Anim 40, 70–71 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0311-70

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