Malignant Sertoli Cell Tumor in a Goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus)

Author(s): Koji Uetsuka, Takayuki Suzuki, Kunio Doi, and Tetsuo Nunoya
Source: Avian Diseases, 56(4):781-785.
Published By: American Association of Avian Pathologists
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1637/10214-042012-Case.1
URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1637/10214-042012-Case.1

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AVIAN DISEASES 56:781–785, 2012

Case Report—
Malignant Sertoli Cell Tumor in a Goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus)
Koji Uetsuka,A Takayuki Suzuki, Kunio Doi, and Tetsuo Nunoya

Nippon Institute for Biological Science, 9-2221-1 Shin-machi, Ome, Tokyo 198-0024, Japan
Received 22 April 2012; Accepted 31 July 2012; Published ahead of print 1 August 2012

SUMMARY. This paper describes the pathologic features of a malignant Sertoli cell tumor found in an adult goose (Anser
cygnoides domesticus). At necropsy, in addition to one large tumor mass (15 cm in diameter), multiple small tumor masses were
observed over the peritoneum and mesenterium in the coelomic cavity. The large tumor mass was composed of sheets, lobules, and
small islands of tumor cells, and elongated tumor cells lying perpendicular to fibrous connective tissue were characteristic. Such
histopathologic characteristics were common to all the tumors. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for neuron-
specific enolase and S-100, and some tumor cells contained fine intracytoplasmic pigments that stained red by oil red O staining.
These findings, taken together with the fact that one testis was markedly atrophied and bore no tumor cells and the other testis was
not discernible, the present case was diagnosed as unilateral malignant Sertoli cell tumor arising from the unilateral testis. To our
knowledge, this is the first report of Sertoli cell tumor in the goose.

RESUMEN. Reporte de Caso—Tumor maligno de células de Sertoli en un ganso (Anser cygnoides domesticus).
Este reporte describe las caracterı́sticas patológicas de un tumor maligno de células de Sertoli que se encontró en un ganso
adulto (Anser cygnoides domesticus). En la necropsia, además de una gran masa tumoral (15 cm de diámetro), se observaron
múltiples masas tumorales pequeñas sobre el peritoneo y el mesenterio en la cavidad celómica. La masa tumoral mayor se
componı́a de láminas, lobulillos y pequeñas islas de células tumorales y las células tumorales alargadas situadas
perpendicularmente al tejido conectivo fibroso que eran caracterı́sticas. Estas caracterı́sticas histopatológicas eran comunes a
todos los tumores. Las células tumorales fueron positivas mediante inmunohistoquı́mica para la enolasa especı́fica neuronal y para
S-100, y algunas células tumorales contenı́an pigmentos finos intracitoplásmáticos teñidos de rojo mediante la tinción de rojo
oleoso O. Estos resultados, junto con el hecho de que un testı́culo estaba notablemente atrofiado, y no mostraba células tumorales
y el otro testı́culo no era perceptible, el presente caso fue diagnosticado como un tumor maligno de células de Sertoli unilateral,
derivado de un testı́culo unilateral. De acuerdo con el conocimiento de los autores, este es el primer informe de un tumor de
células de Sertoli en un ganso.
Key words: goose, neoplasm, Sertoli cell tumor, testis
Abbreviations: H&E 5 hematoxylin and eosin; NSE 5 neuron-specific enolase

Sertoli cell tumor is a primary neoplasm of the testis arising from
the supporting cells within the seminiferous tubules. It is common
in dogs, especially in cryptorchid testicles, and has also been
reported in the stallion, ram, cat, and bull (13). On the other hand,
testicular tumors are rare in avian species and, until now, Sertoli
cell tumor had only been reported in a domestic chicken (Gallus
gallus domesticus) (24), a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (4), a
Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) (21), Japanese quails (Coturnix
japonica) (8), and budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) (18).
Sertoli cell tumor is composed of Sertoli-like epithelial cells.
Tumor cells characteristically have basally situated large, dense
nuclei and basophilic cytoplasms, and they are usually arranged in a
palisading manner around the central lumen of the seminiferous
tubule. They are also arranged as lobules and sheets separated by
delicate stroma (19).
We recently encountered a Sertoli cell tumor in a goose. Because
of the rarity of this type tumor in birds, this paper describes the
histopathologic, immunohisotochemical, and ultrastructural charac-
teristics of the tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of
Sertoli cell tumor in the goose.
A
Corresponding author. E-mail: koji_ue@nibs.or.jp
CASE REPORT
An adult male goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus; age unknown)
that had been kept in a breeding cage for collecting blood samples
suddenly died without showing any symptoms. To identify the cause
of death, necropsy was performed.
Tissue samples of various organs were collected and fixed in 4%
phosphate-buffered paraformaldehyde solution. Four-micron-thick
paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). In
addition, oil red O staining and immunostaining for cytokeratin,
S-100, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were performed using
representative tumor sections.
Immunohistochemistry was done on the above-mentioned
sections by the labeled streptavidin biotin [LSAB] method using
primary mouse monoclonal antibody against S-100, NSE, and
cytokeratin (Dako, Carpinteria, CA). The secondary antibody used
was biotinylated rabbit anti-mouse IgG antibody (KPL, Gaithers-
burg, MD). The sections were incubated with peroxidase-labeled
streptavidin (Dako) and visualized with 3, 39-diaminobenzidine-
tetrahydrochloride as chromogen. Counterstaining was done with
hematoxylin.
For electron microscopy, paraformaldehyde-fixed tissues were
refixed in 1% osmium tetroxide and embedded in epoxy resin.
Ultrathin sections were double-stained with uranyl acetate and lead

781
782 K. Uetsuka et al.

Fig. 1. Gross appearance of the abdominal tumor. (A) The alimentary tract and the multiple masses of various size. Arrowhead 5 the largest
mass; arrows 5 small masses attaching to the peritoneum and mesenterium; * 5 esophagus; ** 5 cloaca. (B) The cut surface of the largest mass.

Fig. 2. Histopathologic appearance of the coelomic tumor. (A) The largest mass. Low magnification. H&E. Bar 5 200 mm. (B, C) The largest
mass. Elongated fusiform cells that lay perpendicular to fibrous connective tissue are prominent around the dense stroma (B; arrowheads) and at the
periphery of tumor (C; arrowheads). H&E. Bar 5 100 mm. (D) The tumor mass. The cytoplasmic pigments are clearly red-colored stained in both
accumulated macrophages (arrows) and some tumor cells (arrowheads). Oil red O staining. Bar 5 100 mm.
 Sertoli cell tumor in a goose
Fig. 3. The ultrastructure of proliferating tumor cell. In the
cytoplasm of tumor cell, lipid inclusions (LI) were observed. Bar 5 5 mm.
citrate and observed under a transmission electron microscope
(JEM-1400, JEOL, Tokyo, Japan).
At necropsy, there were no noticeable changes in the external
appearance except for the swelling of plantar digital pads with a
small brown area on the skin surface. In the coelomic cavity, discrete
multinodular tumor masses of various sizes (the largest one was
15 cm in diameter; others 1–2 cm in diameter) were detected over
the peritoneum and mesenterium (Fig. 1A). In addition, only one
testis was detected and was markedly atrophied and the other
testis was not discernible. The largest tumor mass was firm and
well-demarcated, and its cut surface was pink or pale brown with
Fig. 4. Immunohistochemistry of the coelomic tumor. (A) The tumor cells show cytoplasmic and nuclear-positive staining for NSE. Bar 5
100 mm. (B) The tumor cells show cytoplasmic and nuclear-positive staining for S100. Bar 5 100 mm.
783
yellow or blackish-brown areas of necrosis and hemorrhage
(Fig. 1B).
Histopathologically, the largest mass was composed of sheets,
lobules, and small islands built up by tumor cells surrounded by
stroma. The stroma varied from delicate to dense with rich capillary
networks (Fig. 2A). The tumor cells were elongated fusiform or
cuboidal in shape and they had eosinophilic cytoplasm and basally
located, faintly stained, irregularly-shaped nuclei with distinct
nucleoli. Mitotic figures were scarcely visible at a frequency of 0–3
cells/high-power field (4003). Elongated fusiform cells, lying
perpendicular to fibrous connective tissue and especially around
the dense stroma (Fig. 2B) and at the periphery of the tumor
(Fig. 2C), were characteristic in the tumor that was present. Neither
seminiferous nor Leydig cells were present. Fundamental histopath-
ologic features of the small tumor masses were similar to those of the
largest one.
Hemorrhagic and necrotic areas were often seen, and foci of
macrophages were also found. Such macrophages contained
yellowish-brown pigments on the H&E-stained section. Pigments
were stained red by oil red O staining, indicating that the pigments
contained fatty material. Some tumor cells near the foci of
macrophages also contained similar pigments (Fig. 2D). Electron
microscopically, intracytoplasmic lipid inclusions were found in such
tumor cells (Fig. 3). Immunohistochemical examination revealed
that the tumor cells were positive for NSE and S-100 antibodies
(Fig. 4) while negative for cytokeratin antibody.
DISCUSSION
Based on the histopathologic findings, the present case was
diagnosed as Sertoli cell tumor. Sertoli cell tumor is generally
considered to originate from a testis. In the present case, only one
markedly atrophic testis was detected in the coelomic cavity. This
suggests that the largest mass found in the coelomic cavity might be
the other testis and the primary site of tumor development.
The three main testicular neoplasms are Sertoli cell tumor,
Leydig cell tumor, and seminoma. In avian species, seminomas have
been reported in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) (22), a guinea
fowl (Numida meleagris), (7), a mallard (15), a pigeon (Columba
784 K. Uetsuka et al.
livia) (25), and budgerigars (18), and a Leydig cell tumor was
reported in a budgerigar (18). In addition, teratomas in the testicles
have been reported in many avian species including domestic
chickens (10) and a Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
(20). Moreover, combinations of two or three types of testicular
tumors may occur in one testis (12,14). In a Peking duck, a
testicular tumor consisting of Sertoli, seminoma, and interstitial cell
components have been reported (11). In the present case, neither
seminiferous nor Leydig cell components were present in the tumor
mass.
The histopathologic diagnosis of Sertoli cell tumor is supported
by the results of immunohistochemical examination. Sertoli cells are
reported to be the only cells of the testes that stain immmunohis-
tochemically with antibody to NSE (5). They also stain with
vimentin, and there are varied reports of staining with other
antibodies including S100, melan-A, and inhibin (5). Cytokeratin
stains were negative (5).
As mentioned before, Sertoli cell tumor is rare in chickens (19).
This seems to be partly due to the fact that only a small percentage of
males would reach their maturity. In this context, it is said in
mammals that Sertoli cell tumor most often occurs in older animals
(13). However, this tumor is not commonly reported in backyard
flocks in which roosters may have a long span of life. Therefore, it
might be difficult to explain the rarity of this tumor in chickens
based only according to their maturity. On the other hand, five
cases of ovarian Sertoli cell tumors in chickens were reported
by Fredrickson (6). In those cases, it was considered that cortical
accumulations of sterile follicles and, less frequently, tubules and
interstitial cells go on to form either granulosa cell tumor or Sertoli
cell tumors.
In mammals, Sertoli cell tumors may be associated with estrogen
production and feminization (19). Feminization secondary to
hyperestrogenism from functional Sertoli cell and other germ cell
testicular tumors has been reported in both mammalian and avian
species (1,2,17,23,24). In such cases, birds showed changes in the
color of the cere (blue to brown), polyostotic hyperostosis,
pancytopenia, and the development of female plumage characteris-
tics. In the present goose case, no clinical signs implying
hyperestrogenism or feminization were observed. However, the
appearance of intracytoplasmic, lipid-containing pigments in tumor
cells suggests the potential of estrogen production of tumor cells. In
avian species, in addition to Sertoli cell tumor, sex reversal has also
been recognized in the case of arrhenoma and arrhenoblastoma in
the ovary (19,26).
In the study of avian tumors, attention has been focused on viral
etiology, both from the standpoint of their economic importance
and as potential models applicable to human tumors (3). Although
microbiologic examinations were not performed, avian leukosis virus
serotype J infection is recognized even in granulosa cell tumors,
mesothelioma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, all of which have
been traditionally considered as nonviral tumors (16). It is noted
that avian leucosis retroviral genes are not detected in geese (9), while
the goose is considered as one of the natural hosts of the
reticuloendotheliosis group of viruses (27). A case of Sertoli cell
tumor associated with polyomavirus infection was reported in a
Gouldian finch (21).
In conclusion, to the authors’ knowledge this is probably the first
case report of Sertoli cell tumor in the goose. The present case
developed the disseminated metastases in the coelomic cavity, and
this indicates the malignant nature of the tumor. In the previous
cases of Sertoli cell tumor reported in avian species (4,8,18,21,24),
the nature of these tumors had been considered to be benign.
Therefore, this is also the first case of malignant Sertoli cell tumor in
an avian species.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank Ms. H. Tomioka for her excellent technical assistance.