Elsevier

Theriogenology

Volume 40, Issue 1, July 1993, Pages 211-223
Theriogenology

Effects of severe chronic scrotal Dermatophiluscongolensis (kirchi) infection on semen characteristics in Zebu/Friesian crossbred bulls and effect of long-acting terramycin chemotherapy

https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691X(93)90355-9Get rights and content

Abstract

The semen characteristics of 12 Zebu/Friesian crossbred bulls, aged 2 to 3 years, were studied during a 21-month period. At the 12th month of the study, the commencement of the rainy season, the bulls were infected naturally with Dermatophiluscongolensis. Lesions were scattered over the body and limbs, but were particularly pronounced on the scrotum. Monthly treatments with injection of terramycin were begun as soon as lesions were detected and continued until the end of the study. The lesions worsened and became pronounced particularly on the scrotum of all the bulls. Scrotal scab formation caused by infection became prominent at the 14th month of the study. Until that period, the bulls had normal semen characteristics.

From the 15th month until the end of the study, there was progressive deterioration of semen characteristics in all the bulls; this was manifested by some or all of the following effects: decreased volume, increased percentage of dead spermatozoa, increased percentage of total sperm morphological abnormalities, decreased percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa, oligospermia and terminal azoospermia. Therefore, severe chronic scrotal dermatophilosis may be a significant cause of infertility or sterility in bulls.

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