High Incidence of Scrotal Hernias in a Closed Colony of FVB Mice

Although inguinal hernias are rarely reported to occur in mice, a high incidence of scrotal hernias was observed in a closed breeding colony of FVB/N mice. Unilateral or bilateral hernias occurred in more than 20% of the male mice in the colony that were available for necropsy over 3 inbred and 1 outcross generations; no female mice were affected. Organs commonly present within the hernial sac included the cecum and seminal vesicles. Hernias did not adversely affect the fertility or lifespan of the affected male mice. Although the condition was heritable, no clear pattern of transmission was evident.