Introduction

Infertility
The word infertility is simply used to denote any loss of normal fertility; the degree however
may vary from very less to very high. It is always the common practice to consider the female
and its territory for better reproduction but it is never justifiable. Male is equally important in
every standpoint, it contributes 5! of genetic ma"eup and still more in deeper thin"ing up to
##! after $ generations the same sire is used.
Infertility in male is the state of reduced fertility and is defined as any reduction in the e%pected
number of live animals born&unit no of females put to the male, which will vary between species,
breeds, production systems and individual farms. The term sterility is used to denote permanent
infertility.
The causes of infertility are many and can be comple%.
Bacterial causes of infertility
Campylobacteriosis/ Vibriosis
'ovine (ampylobacteriosis )*ibriosis+ is a venereal disease of cattle, caused by Campylobacter
foetus. Campylobacter are ,ram negative, microaerophilic, curved or spiral rods. It causes
infertility in male animals. 'ulls do not become permanent carriers until they are at least - years
of age. .pithelial crypts in the penile mucosa increase in si/e and number with age and provide a
favorable habitat for these bacteria. 0nce the infection is established in these older animals, it
tends to be retained permanently as a locally innocuous surface contaminant. 1ome bulls lac"
libido.
Transmission
C. fetus infections can be spread on fomites including contaminated semen, contaminated
instruments and bedding. 'ulls may transmit C. fetus for several hours after being bred to an
infected cow; some bulls can become permanent carriers. (ows can also become carriers for
years.
Diagnosis
2irect culture of preputial smegma is considered the most reliable method of diagnosing (. fetus
infection in the bull )3um et al., 455$+.
Prognosis
It is usually favorable as infertility is temporary. 6fter $78 months animal develops immunity to
infection.
Treatment
1
The organism is sensitive to streptomycin, infusion of streptomycin, (horamphenicol,
tetracycline in the prepuce and penis of bulloc" is advisable.
1treptomycin94mg&lb b wt. : 5! solution of same antibiotics locally to the prepuce
has been recommended.
Control
(ampylobacteriosis can be controlled by regular vaccination of just the bulls. ;oung bulls should
receive two shots -78 wee"s apart, with the second dose a month before joining. 6n annual
booster 4 month before joining is then required. (ommercial vaccine is available in small
quantities )for e%ample, < or < ml vials+ for this purpose. =eaction to the vaccine leaves a lump
on the bull, which may account for the reluctance of some studs to vaccinate their bulls. This is
short7sighted, as in this case a vaccination reaction is an indication that the bull>s immune system
has responded well, and the bull is effectively immuni/ed against it.
Brucellosis )'ang>s disease+
'rucellosis is caused by various species of brucella species they are brucellla abortus, brucella
melitensis, brucella suis, brucella ovis and brucella canis.
Transmission
'ovine brucellosis is almost always transmitted from herd to herd through the movement of
infected cattle. 6nimals become infected through ingestion of contaminated feed or water, or
after lic"ing an infected placenta, foetus or genitalia of another cow, after it has
aborted. 6rtificial insemination with infected semen can result in infection of the recipient cow.
?rine, feces and hygroma fluids are also sources of bacteria. Infected bulls may e%crete the
organism in their semen. (ongenital transmission may occur through in utero7 infection.
Clinical signs
In bulls, primary clinical signs are enlarged testes, decreased libido, infertility, seminal
vesiculitis, and ampullitis. ?nilateral orchitis is more common than the bilateral. 2uring acute
phase of infection ,the affected testes is inflamed with consequent hyperemia, heat and swelling,
may enlarge up to <7$ times. .pididymitis can also occur as a primary infection or by spread
from an infected testis. 6ny inflammation of epididymis causes construction of the single, highly
convoluted tube of which the organ is composed, so a loss of function normally ensues. The
tunica vaginalis may be thic"ened and fibrous, and adhesions may be present ?nilateral
epididymitis therefore results in reduced fertility, whereas bilateral results in sterility.
The changes may be noted in seminal vesicles and ductus differentia. Thus the presence of
organism in the accessory organ helps in the e%cretion of brucella organisms in the semen. 'ulls
loose se%ual desire and remain infertile. 1ynovial structures may also be involved, with resulting
purulent tendovaginitis, arthritis, bursitis and hygromas, particularly of the carpal joints, occur in
some animals in chronically affected herds.
2
0vine epididymitis caused by Brucella ovis can be an important cause of reduced fertility.
@rognosis is very slow. The epididymal lesion produced by the organism, possibly immune
mediated, is a modest one, but it predisposes to sperm stasis and e%travasations, which produce
the characteristic chronic granulomatous epididymitis. ?nli"e brucellosis in the bull, there is no
primary orchitis.
Diagnosis
Isolation of organisms
The organisms are isolated from tissues e%cretion microscopically or culturally. The materials
used for such e%aminations includes abscess of testis and epididymytis.
Animal pathogenicity test
,uinea pig is the animal of choice for the pathogenicity test.
Test for presence of antibodies
1erum agglutination test
'lood agglutination test
(omplementation fi%ation test
1emen plasma test
.AI16 test
Mil" =ing Test)M=T+
=ose 'engal @late Test)='@T+
Treatment
Bumerous drugs combination therapy has been recommended.
3
(hlortetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin, o%ytetracycline have been used with fair
amount of success. In canine brucellosis tetracycline streptomycin combination has been
suggested following tetracycline or ampicillin.
@rovide se%ual rest.
Aocal application of cold douches, astringent, and iodine paint to reduce the pain.
?nilateral castration to prevent other sound testis.
Control
Aive attenuated vaccines are available which provide good protection. *accines available
are B. abortus -5C< and 'rucella 1train 45. The 1train 45 and =ev 4 vaccines are used in
sheep and goat.
3owever, vaccination can produce persistent antibodies, which interfere with subsequent
diagnostic tests.
6 number of countries have successfully underta"en control programs that have led to
eradication. The programs use combination of vaccination, test7and7slaughter,
surveillance and abattoir trace bac". .%perience has shown that vaccination should be
maintained well into the advanced stages of the program to protect clean herds from
serious brea"downs.

4

Dig. Bormal testes and orchitis

5


Dig. 3ygromas on the "nee joints of bull
Leptospirosis
Aeptospirosis is a highly infectious bacterial disease of cattle. Two different serotypes are
common in cattleE Leptospira pomona and Leptospira hardjobovis. These bacteria survive for
long periods in wet conditions and are shed by infected animals in urine and in uterine fluids.
Transmission
?rine contaminated feed, water, or air and contaminated semen. It has been shown that bulls
infected with Leptospira pomona may shed the organisms in the semen and can infect
susceptible cows either at natural service or by 6.I. )1leight and Filliams, 4584+. In pigs,
Leptospira pomona infects the "idney and is e%creted in the urine, and contamination of the
semen by infected urine may lead to the transmission of the disease to females )=oberts, 45G4+.
Diagnosis
2iagnosis is based on isolation of the organism. 1mith et al. )458#+ have used fluorescent
antibody techniques, whilst inoculation of mice with necrotic liver and the production of "eratitis
in rabbits are additional tests. 1erological or direct testing of genital fluids for these agents may
at times be indicated. 6 @(= test for the detection of Leptospira spp. serovars in bovine semen
has recently been described )3einermann et al., <+.
Treatment
@enicillin, streptomycin or tetracycline I&m for 57G days is recommended
1upportive treatment should be given to monitor "idney function.
(orticosteroid may be used to speed up the elimination of urea.
6
'ovine leptospirosis has been regarded as a self limiting herd problem, its cleaning up is
e%pected within one year.
Control
*accination against leptospirosis is therefore recommended to protect cattle. The organisms are
sensitive to a wide range of antibiotics that may prove beneficial. 1anitation and disinfection of
premises is must.
Listeriosis
Aisteriosis, also referred to as (ircling 2isease or 1ilage 1ic"ness, is a sporadic bacterial
infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is a small, motile, gram7
positive nonspore7forming cocco7bacillus. listeria monocytogenes is widespread. In Bepal, no
any report on listeriosis.
Two distinct listeric syndromesE
Beural listeriosis
,enital listeriosis
,enital listeric infection results in abortion, premature births, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths
)cows+ and infertility )bulls+.
Transmission
L. monocytogenes ubiquitous frequently found in soil but also isolated from foodstuffs and
faeces of healthy animals. 1oil is the most li"ely source of infection, especially following the
feeding of soil contaminated silage where poor fermentation has occurred.
Treatment
(hlortetracycline94mg&"g b wt. for 57G days I&M.
@enicillin 9-- I?&"g b wt. for G days I&M.
1ulphonamides94745&"g b wt. for $ days I&M.
1upportive treatment with fluid and electrolytes.
Control
1anitation and antibiotic therapy
Corynebacterium renale
6 urea hydroly/ing bacterium is thought to cause ulcerative posthitis in wethers and rams and
vulvitis in ewes. Aesions tend to be more severe in wethers than in rams probably because of the
incomplete development of their prepuce and penis and, therefore their tendency to urinate
7
within the preputial sheath. The lesions may develop into e%tensive internal ulceration of the
prepuce and ulceration of the glands penis. Corynebacterium renale is an inhabitant of the
prepuce of apparently healthy bulls and can also be isolated frequently from cases of ulcerative
posthitis. (ontrary to the comparable condition in sheep, steers are infrequently infected.
reaplasmosis
Ureaplasm diversum has been identified as a cause of infertility and abortion in cows )Hir"bride,
45#G+. 3owever, it is a common inhabitant of the prepuce and urethra of normal bulls, and is
often present in normal bull semen )Hir"bride, 45#G, 1precher et al., 4555+. This indicates that
specific requirements may be needed for U. diversum to influence herd fertility. 6 possibility is
that there is variation is the virulence between different serogroups, with herd fertility
compromised only in the presence of more virulent serogroups. There is also possibility of U.
diversum may have greater impact on herd fertility where artificial insemination is used, due to
need to penetrate cervi% and deposit semen directly into the uterus. There is no evidence U.
diversum causes male infertility or lesions to the bull>s reproductive tract under natural
conditions; however bulls may transmit infection to cows )Hir"bride, 45#G+.
(ontrol of U. diversum is focused on management of the cow herd and antibiotics treatment of
semen used for artificial insemination. Bo specific control methods are used for bulls.
!ycoplasmosis
Mycoplasma bovigenitalium is considered the most common Mycoplasma infection of the genital
tract of bulls )Hir"bride, 45#G+. 6lthough present in the prepuce and urethra of normal bulls
)1precher et al., 4555+, the presence or Mycoplasma bovigenitalium in the accessory se% glands,
testicles and epididymis is considered pathological )Hir"bride, 45#G+. In particular, infection of
epididymis may interfere with sperm maturation )@anangala et al., 45#4+. It is unli"ely that M.
Bovigenitalium gains access to the accessory se% glands, testicles or epididymis by retrograde
infection. Most evidence suggests pathological infection enters via the respiratory or digestive
tracts and becomes systemic before locali/ing in these areas of the reproductive tract )Hir"bride,
45#G+.
Control and management
Bo specific management techniques have been advised for the control of this organism in bulls.
M. bovigenitalium appears to be ubiquitous in bovine population, ma"ing efforts to apply
quarantine technique unproductive. 6lthough macrolide antibiotics such as Tylosin are effective
against the organism in vitro, there is no data on the efficacy of systemic treatment in clearing
the infection. 1emen from affected bulls may be used for artificial insemination if treated with
appropriate antibiotics )Hir"bride, 45#G+.
"aemophilus somnus
8
Haemophilus somnus is a small, pleomorphic, gram7negative and coccobacillus bacterium that
has been identified as a common inhabitant of the sheath in bulls and the vagina and major
vestibular gland in cows.
Transmission
It can be transmitted from the male bovine reproductive during natural mating or artificial
insemination.
Control
*accinations and use of antibiotics or antibacterial drugs for prevention of bulls and cattle from
H. somnus infection seems to be necessary.
#almonellosis
1ome 1almonella infections in animals resemble vibriosis in that they may be introduced both
orally and through coitus. In horses, Salmonella abortus eui is normally spread orally )=oberts,
45G4+. 3owever, orchitis has been recorded in infected stallions, and se%ual transmission of the
disease may occur rarely. 1almonella infecting other species appear to have become better
adapted to se%ual transmission. There is good evidence that infection of sheep by Salmonella
abortus ovis ta"es place in this way; the organisms are e%creted in the semen from testicular
infections )Mura and (ontini, 455-+, and infection of the ewe may lead to abortion.
Infected animals e%crete the organisms in their feces, contaminating pastures, water supplies and
housing.
Treatment
*arious broad spectrum antibiotics and chemotherapeutics have been recommended.
The drugs includesE (hloramphenicol, neomycin, polymy%in7', trimethoprim7
1ulphametho%a/ole preparation, nitrofura/one.
In vitro drugs sensitivity test is advisable.
To chec" dehydration adequate fluid and electrolytes are to be given.
Control
It is difficult to cure carrier animals, and the best control measure is therefore to cull all animals
that react positively to tests for salmonella. This approach is li"ely to result in better control of
the disease than vaccination.
Chlamydia
(hlamydia in the genital tract in animals is regarded as definitely pathogenic )1tor/, (arroll,
'all, and Daul"ner, 458#; McHercher, 4585 +. (oital transmission has not been established
9
with certainty, although the organisms have been recovered from the semen of bulls with seminal
vesiculitis. 3owever, the isolation of (hlamydia from the semen of rams and serological studies
indicate that se%ual transmission is also a possibility )Tamarin and Aandau, 458$+. Isolates from
animals belong to ,roup ', forming intracellular inclusions which do not stain with iodine.
1ome non7specific bacterial infection of genitalia isE
Infection of Vesicular glands
Infection of vesicular glands )seminal vesicles+ is relatively common cause of infertility in many
conditions. The incidence in bulls is found to be .< to 5!. It may be either affected primarily by
B. abortus, Chlamydia spp. or secondarily by !ctinomyces pyogens, !ctinobacillus, ".Coli,
#seudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococci, Staphylococci, Myobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium
paratuberculosis. 1econdary infection is more common. It occurs most commonly in young bulls
of fewer than < years of age and aged bulls, but in other animals, rarely in rams. Mycobacterium
bovis starts by the chronic inflammation from the beginning.
The consequence is decline in semen quality e%hibited by decrease in sperm motility, accompanied
by elevated p
3
, low fructose concentration and presence of polymorph nuclear leucocytes. In
moderate or severe cases semen may appear purulent and tinge brownish due to degenerating
blood from the damaged gland. These changes ultimately lead to decrease in fertility, although
sometime no effect of this may be observed.
Infections of other accessory genitalia
In bulls, although ampullitis, prostatitis, and bulbourethral adenitis appear frequently with
vesiculitis at necropsy, ampullitis is less readily diagnosed clinically and prostatitis is almost never
diagnosed. ,reater si/e and firmness of the ampullae may escape detection, and the dense capsule
of the bull prostate precludes enlargement. The bulbourethral glands are not palpable.
Bumerous microorganisms have been associated, including Brucella abortus, !ctinomyces
pyogenes, "scherichia coli, #seudomonas, #roteus mirabilis, !ctinobacillus seminis, !ctinomyces
bovis, $ocardia farcina, Haemophilus, Salmonella, streptococci and 1taphylococci.
Transmission
In young, group7housed bulls, seminal vesiculitis in some cases appears to be contagious.
Transmission may be retrograde as a result of urethral contamination during homose%ual activity.
#ymptoms
,land is tender and painful in palpation.
Distula may arise between seminal gland and rectum.
10
@eritonitis may occur with bad sequlae.
1emen is deteriorated with pus, bacteria and many dead sperms.
Diagnosis
Based on clinical signs
0n rectal e%amination, seminal vesiculitis is characteri/ed byE
4+ Irregular enlargement of the gland, fibrosis, peritoneal adhesions, and loss of lobulation,
fluctuation, and abscessation.
<+ In other cases, a portion or all of the seminal vesicle may become thic"ened and fibrotic with
only slight enlargement and loss of lobulation of the gland and with no adhesions.
Based on laboratory
(ulture of the semen is usually an unsatisfactory method for diagnosing the causative bacterial
agent because of the contamination from the sheath. ,alloway developed a procedure to collect
non7contaminated urethral samplesE 6 tranquili/er was administered to quiet the bull and allow
withdrawal of the penis. =ectal massage aided the protrusion of the penis from the sheath. The
penis was washed with an antiseptic solution and the urethra was irrigated with sterile saline.
6gglutination test should be done for 'rucella infection.
Tuberculin test should be done for T' infection.
Treatment
?se high levels of broad spectrum antibiotics, or antibiotics to which the causative agent is
sensitive, for two wee"s or longer together with mild massage of the vesicular gland to
remove its contents may result in recovery in some males after < to 8 months.
1urgical removal of the affected vesicular glands has been recommended for selected bulls
in artificial insemination studs or where conservative treatment has failed, and where the
only detectable lesion of the genital tract is in the seminal vesicle and e%tensive adhesions
are not present.
2iscard animal infected with 'rucella and Tuberculosis from breeding purpose.
$ungal cause of infertility
11
!spergillus fumigatus, Mucor, %hi&opus, !bsidia and Mortierella are the fungus causing
infertility in animals. The source of infection is usually e%ternal via the respiratory or ,I route.
6lternatively, it may be from genital flora or contaminated semen.
Pathogenesis
@athogenesis is usually the result of a generali/ed infection with blood borne dissemination and
subsequent locali/ation in the placenta resulting in placentitis, necrosis, and hemorrhage with
separation of the chorion from the caruncle by e%udates.
Diagnosis
It is done based on gross lesions and culture of the affected s"in or by direct 7 H03 wet mounts
of the sample.
Proto%oan cause of infertility in bulls
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is caused by the 'richomonas fetus, a very tiny parasite )proto/oa+ single celled
organism. It is more comple% than a bacteria or virus .It lives in reproductive tract of cow and
bull. It has $ long whip7li"e projections )flagella+.
Transmission
The only means of transmission is by the mating )a true veneral disease+.It is transmitted from
infected bull to clean cow and infected cow to clean bull. Transmission is very unli"ely with
artificial insemination. '. foetus can occasionally contaminate the semen during collection of
semen from 6I studs. The organism is also preserved in fro/en semen.
'. foetus in bulls lives in the folds of the sheath and prepuce. It inhabits the microscopic IcryptsJ
or crevices. 'ulls are the long term carrier of bulls. 0lder bulls of more than - years age are
more li"ely to get infected.
Treatment
6lthough there have been many attempts to develop a treatment for Trichomoniasis none have
been successful. There is no method for treating and ensuring that an infection has been cleared
from an infected bull. Infected bulls must be culled.
Diagnosis
12
2iagnostic efforts are usually concentrated on bulls. Trichomoniasis is diagnosed by culturing
samples from the infected bull>s prepuce discharge. It ta"es 47$ days to grow in special
culture media )In pouch system+. ?nder microscope it is recogni/ed by characteristic Ijer"yJ
rolling motion when moving.
Control
@rovide se%ual rest.
'reed by artificial insemination.
1laughter infected bulls
*accination but no vaccination efficacy has been seen in bulls.
?se only I(leanJ 'ulls.
2on>t let I(leanJ 'ulls become infected from I(ontaminatedJ (ows.
Trypanosomiasis
It is an important se%ually transmitted disease of animals. It occurs chiefly in horses and asses.
The causative organism, '. euiperdum, is spread almost e%clusively by coitus )Kubb and
Hennedy, 45G+. 1tallions initially develop balanoposthitis with preputial edema, and mares>
purulent vaginitis. In both se%es the organisms proliferate in the sub mucosal lymphatic, when
the infection often disseminates, and after some wee">s plaque7li"e s"in lesions containing
trypanosomes appear. In severe infections there is fever, emaciation, and involvement of the
central nervous system and death may follow.
13