Impotence in the bull: (3) Rupture of the corpus cavernosum penis proximal to the sigmoid flexure

Penile haematomas, lying outside the tunica albuginea, were found in six bulls of various breeds, aged one-and-a-half to nine-and-three-quarter years. In five cases the haematomas definitely arose from rupture of the dorsal or crural canal and tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum penis (ccp) within the proximal 12 cm of the penile body. In the sixth bull, lesions of the tunica albuginea and distortion of the penis just proximal to the proximal bend of the sigmoid flexure may have represented the site of rupture. There was no evidence of rupture at the distal bend of the sigmoid flexure or of rupture of the dorsal penile vessels in any of these specimens. In all six specimens, the dorsal canals of the ccp were occluded by translucent fibrous tissue distal to the sites of rupture; this was considered to be the factor immediately predisposing to proximal rupture of the ccp. Clinically, a small haematoma in the perineal region is difficult or impossible to palpate externally. However, when the haematoma of proximal origin is large, differentiation from rupture at the distal bend of the sigmoid flexure may be based tentatively on a careful clinical examination. In cases of proximal rupture the haematoma lies caudal and dorsal to the scrotum and no abnormality of the distal bend may be palpable. In cases of distal rupture, the haematoma usually lies cranial to the scrotum and involves the distal bend of the flexure. Severe disruption of the vascular structure is found in cases of proximal rupture of the ccp; therefore the prognosis is grave.     

Relative importance of vision and olfaction for detection of estrus by bulls.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the relative importance of olfaction and visual observation of heifer mounting behavior to the detection of estrus by bulls. An observation pen was designed to allow the evaluation of the preference of five sexually experienced bulls under three sets of stimuli. The observation pen was 4 m x 17 m with a smaller enclosure (2 m x 4 m) at each end that housed either a pair of heifers in diestrus (D), a pair of heifers in estrus that were allowed to mount one another (EM), or a pair of heifers in estrus that were separated by an aluminum panel to prevent mounting behavior (E). The preference of bulls was determined between EM heifers compared to D heifers, EM heifers compared to E heifers, and E heifers compared to D heifers. Each bull was individually allowed 5 min inside the observation pen to demonstrate its preference. Preference was defined as the total time that bulls spent within 2.5 m of either pair of heifers. Each bull was subjected to 10 observation periods of each set of stimuli during a 4-mo period. Bulls preferred to be near EM heifers compared with either E or D heifers (P less than .05). However, the bulls demonstrated no preference (P greater than .05) for E heifers compared with D heifers. These data indicate that when physical contact is denied, bulls use visual observation of female homosexual behavior as the primary indicator of estrus and that olfaction alone provides insufficient stimuli for bulls to indicate preference toward heifers in estrus compared with heifers in diestrus.     

Identification of urinary sex pheromones in female buffaloes and their influence on bull reproductive behaviour

The present study was carried out to identify the urinary sex pheromones of buffaloes and their role in relation to bull reproductive behaviour. Urinary samples were collected from 12 buffalo heifers at four different phases of estrous cycles. Fourteen compounds were identified throughout the cycle, which included phenol, ketone, alkane, alcohol, amide, acid and aldehyde. Among the 14 chemical profiles, three compounds were only found on the day of estrus, viz. 1-chlorooctane, 4-methylphenol and 9-octadecenoic acid. Behavioural investigation clearly showed that bulls were attracted and exhibited repeated flehmen behaviour towards the 4-methyl phenol. The bulls displayed penile erection and mounting behaviour while exposed to 9-octadecenoic acid. However, the other compound, 1-chlorooctane, did not influence such sexual behaviours. The present results provide evidence that the estrus-specific urinary volatile compounds appear to be sex pheromones which initiate the bull’s reproductive behaviour.     

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) in a Brahman's preputial sheath: a case report from Botswana

Failure of penile protrusion during attempted service of a cow on heat was investigated in a 3-year-old Brahman bull at Kwakwadi cattle-post in the Kgalahadi sandveld, Kweneng District, Botswana. The investigation revealed that penile protrusion was obstructed by a devil's claw (grapple thorn), a dry fruit of the plant Harpagophytum procumbens, which had lodged in the cavum preputiale. The thorn, which was removed almost completely manually with minimal tissue dissection, had also caused minor lacerations and puncture wounds on the lamina interna pars parietalis. The wounds healed well following treatment with antiseptics and antibiotics and subsequently the bull regained full penile protrusion and served the cows well. This report describes the first case of lodgement of a devil's claw fruit in, and its extraction from, the cavum preputiale of a Brahman.     

Presumptive organophosphate-induced delayed neurotoxicity in a paralyzed bull

A case of presumptive organophosphate-induced delayed neurotoxicity in a bull is described. All signs were referable to a focal cervical or diffuse spinal cord lesion. These included recumbency with severe symmetrical paresis of all 4 limbs, the hind limb involvement being greater than the forelimbs. CSF analysis was normal. The bull was killed and necropsied. There were no gross CNS lesions. Histopathologic finds are characterized and their resemblance to lesions observed in delayed neurotoxicity caused by organophosphate compounds is discussed. The bull had been treated with organophosphate insecticide (famphur) 43 days prior to the onset of signs.     

Penile hematoma in bulls: 60 cases (1979-1990).

Sixty bulls with penile hematomas were examined from 1979 through 1990. Thirty-eight bulls underwent surgical correction, 17 bulls were managed by medical treatment, and 5 bulls were not treated. Hereford and Polled Hereford breeds represented the majority (n = 37, 62%) of the bulls, with 10 other breeds representing the remainder (n = 21, 35%) in this study; breed was not reported in 2 bulls. Follow-up information was obtained from owners (40/60) through conversation on the success or failure of treatment, interval of sexual rest, duration of breeding soundness, and final outcome of the bull. Surgical correction was successful in 19 (70%) of 27 cases; medical treatment was successful in 6 (46%) of 13 cases. Of the 8 bulls that had penile hematomas with swelling measuring > 20 cm in width, 6 were successfully treated surgically, compared with 1 of 3 successfully treated medically. Of the bulls with penile hematomas having a swelling measuring < or = 20 cm in width, 7 of 9 were successfully treated surgically, compared with 4 of 5 successfully treated medically. Duration of the penile hematoma had little effect on the success of surgical correction. Of the bulls allowed sexual rest for > 2 months after treatment was initiated, 6 (25%) of 24 had a recurrence of penile hematoma. Four (40%) of 10 bulls allowed sexual rest for < or = 2 months had a recurrence of penile hematoma.     

CONGENITAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL ANOMALIES OF THE GENITALIA OF SLAUGHTERED BULLS

The genital tracts of 968 slaughtered bulls (46% of which were young post-puberal animals) were examined for defects of a congenital or developmental nature. The overall occurrence of such lesions was 7%. These comprised persistent penile frenulum (0.5%), hypospadias (0.3%), detached urethral process (0.4%), testicular hypoplasia (0.2%), cryptorchidism (0.6%), mesonephric duct abnormalities (1.1%) and bulbourethral cysts, fusion and aplasia (3.6%). Segmental aplasia of the mesonephric duct, not previously recorded in the study area, was found in 4 Shorthorn bulls (0.4%); 2 affected animals were from one herd. In 3 cases of hypospadias (2 from one herd), the urethra communicated with the ventral surface of the penis at the junction of the body and glans through a slit-like orifice. The occurrence of defects observed was generally comparable to that found in bull populations elsewhere but elevated occurrence of several defects in particular herds emphasized the need for further study.     

Effects of novel females and stage of the estrous cycle on sexual behavior in mature beef bulls

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of unrestrained females on sexual behavior of bulls. Twelve Angus bulls were used in three Latin square replicates where sexual interactions between one bull and one female were quantified for each of four 60-min tests (T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively). All bulls received the following treatments: 1) exposure to four estrual females in sequence (A-B-C-D); 2) exposure to two estrual females in alternating sequence (E-F-E-F); 3) exposure repeatedly to one estrual female (G-G-G-G); and 4) exposure repeatedly to one diestrous female (CON). During T1, mount interactions, mounts with intromission and mounting intervals were similar when bulls were in A-B-C-D, E-F-E-F, or G-G-G-G. Fewer mount interactions, no mounts with intromission, and increased mounting intervals (P < 0.05) occurred in CON. During T2, there were more mount interactions, more mounts with intromission, and decreased mounting intervals (P < 0.05) when bulls were in A-B-C-D or E-F-E-F compared with when they were in G-G-G-G or CON. More mount interactions (P < 0.05) occurred in G-G-G-G compared with CON, but mounts with intromission and mounting intervals did not differ. During T3, more mount interactions (P < 0.05) occurred in G-G-G-G than in CON; otherwise, sexual behaviors were similar among treatments. Mounting intervals during T3 were similar among A-B-C-D, E-F-E-F, and G-G-G-G, but were all decreased (P < 0.05) compared with CON. During T4, more mount interactions, more mounts with intromission, and decreased mounting intervals (P < 0.05) occurred when bulls were in A-B-C-D compared with other treatments. Mount interactions were similar when bulls were in E-F-E-F, G-G-G-G, or CON; however, more (P < 0.05) mounts with intromission occurred when bulls were in E-F-E-F compared with G-G-G-G or CON. Mounting intervals during T4 were decreased (P < 0.05) in E-F-E-F compared with the CON treatment, whereas in G-G-G-G, they were intermediate. Mounts without intromission were not affected by female novelty or receptivity, but novel females induced more flehmen responses. In conclusion, novel, females, overall, enhanced sexual activity of bulls; however, bull sexual responses diminished after 2 h, even when a novel female was presented. Estrual females that were repeatedly paired with bulls displayed diminished sexual receptivity, but if mated females were rested for 60 min, they allowed further copulation from familiar bulls that were not sexually sated.     

Ultrasonography for monitoring reproductive function in the bull

Diagnostic ultrasonography has been widely used for examination of the reproductive tract of female cattle, but more sparingly in bulls. Typical clinical ultrasonographic examinations of bull testes are unlikely to affect semen quality or sperm production. The ultrasonographic anatomy of bull testes and accessory sex glands has been reported. Although testicular echogenicity increased (i.e. the parenchyma appeared more white) as a bull approached puberty, echogenicity was not superior to scrotal circumference as a predictor of puberty. Ultrasonography can be used to detect and characterize testicular pathology. It is noteworthy that areas of increased echogenicity (testicular fibrosis) are common, especially in young bulls, but are not associated with decreased semen quality (e.g. percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm). Neither visual evaluation nor computerized pixel analysis of testicular ultrasonic echotexture was consistently predictive of semen quality in bulls. Therefore, we concluded that the primary clinical use of ultrasonography in assessment of reproductive function in the bull is characterization of grossly detectable lesions in the testes and scrotum.     

Congenital multiple ocular defects with falciform retinal folds among Japanese black cattle

To clarify the morphologic features of the ocular disease recently occurring among Japanese Black cattle in southern Kyushu, 6 globes from 3 Japanese Black cattle, between 11 and 20 months old (cow Nos. 1 to 3), were pathologically examined. Cow Nos. 1 and 2 were sired by the same Japanese Black bull, and cow No. 3 was sired by the ancestor (sire) of the former bull. The ocular lesions were pathologically similar to each other, except for the left eye of cow No. 1. The ocular lesions of 5 globes were characterized by microphthalmia, hypoplasia, and/or dysplasia of the lenses; persistence of the primary vitreous; and retinal dysplasia with total nonattachment. The left globe from cow No. 1 had no lens and severe hypoplasia and nonattachment of the retina. Because dysplastic retinal lesions that formed crescentic folds and a central column were the most characteristic features of the eyes, the falciform retinal fold with congenital nonattachment was the most likely disease entity. Although the cause of the ocular disease could not be clarified with the present study, an inherited ocular defect of the bull and its ancestor was suspected.     

Effects of natural mating stimuli on serum luteinizing hormone, testosterone and estradiol-17 beta in yearling beef bulls

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of natural mating stimuli on serum concentrations of LH, testosterone (T) and estradiol-17 beta (E2) in beef bulls. Twenty sexually experienced, yearling beef bulls were bled every 15 min during a 9-h period, 4 h before and 5 h after exposure to estrual females. For exposure, each bull was placed individually in an isolated pen with two restrained estrual heifers for 10 min or until one service was achieved. Timing and number of all behavioral events, including flehmen responses, abortive mounts and services, were recorded for each bull by two independent observers. Of the 20 bulls, 9 bulls mounted and were removed immediately after achieving a service, 8 bulls mounted without achieving a service and 3 bulls exhibited no interest during exposure. Twelve bulls achieved fewer than three and eight bulls achieved three or more flehmen responses during exposure. Postexposure responses in LH, T and E2 were not consistently correlated with number of mounts or presence or absence of a service. However, postexposure LH and T, but not E2, responses were highly correlated with number of flehmen responses achieved (r = .40 to .66; P = .08 to .001). In bulls that achieved three or more flehmen responses, serum LH increased within 30 min after exposure (P = .02) and serum T was increased dramatically within 1 h after exposure (P less than .01), compared with preexposure hormone concentrations, regardless of the number of mounts and regardless of the presence or absence of a service. Natural mating stimuli had no effect on serum E2, and mounting activity alone and mounting that culminated in a service did not necessarily result in increased LH or T in beef bulls. However, number of flehmen responses achieved during exposure to females dramatically influenced postexposure serum LH and T concentrations in beef bulls.     

Transpelvic urethrostomy in a Staffordshire bull terrier: a new technique in the dog

An eight-year-old male Staffordshire bull terrier was presented with a bleeding mass in the urethral mucosa 1.5 cm distal to the ischial arch. After cytological findings suggestive of a squamous cell carcinoma and confirmation of the mass with urethroscopy, total penile amputation followed by transpelvic urethrostomy using an ischial symphyseal ostectomy was performed. The procedure successfully produced a tension-free anastomosis of the urethra to the skin in the scrotal position and no major complications were observed in the postoperative period. Histologically, the lesion was reported as a ruptured vascular structure with thrombosis and repair tissue. Seven months after surgery the dog is free of clinical signs.     

Hind limb skeletal lesions in 12-month-old bulls of beef breeds

In the present study, right hind limb bones from 46 12-month-old bulls with no clinical signs were examined to identify and describe lesions that could predispose the stifle and tarsal joints to osteoarthritis. The bulls came from a performance testing station and were slaughtered due to a low index at the end of the testing period 1996-97. Differences in frequency of lesions among breeds as well as the relationship between lesions and growth rate were evaluated. Forty-five (97.8%) of the 46 bulls had lesions in the joints and/or growth plates. Prevalence of lesions was 100% in the Charolais (22/22), the Hereford (8/8), and the Limousin (4/4) breeds, and 85.7% (6/7) in the Simmental breed. The stifle was affected in 37, the tarsus in 33, and the growth plates in 34, of the 46 bulls. Lesions found in the stifle joint were: osteochondrosis of the articular-epiphysical cartilage complex (AECC) (25), subchondral bone cyst of the distal femur (1), fragmentation of the medial intercondylar eminence of the tibia (20), cleft in the distal part of the patellar groove (28), and an avulsion fracture of the lateral condyle together with a partial tear of the cranial cruciate ligament (1). Lesions found in the tarsal joint were: osteochondrosis of the AECC (23), ulcerative lesions of the articular cartilage of the talus (25), and fracture of the medial malleolus (4). Twenty-eight bulls had lesions of osteochondrosis at the AECC and 37 at the growth plates. When osteochondrosis at the AECC and thickening of the growth plates were combined, 44 of the 46 bulls had at least one lesion at the AECC and/or the growth plate. Prevalence of bulls with at least one lesion was similar between breeds, but the number of lesions per bull was significantly higher in Charolais followed by Simmental, Hereford, and Limousin. Number of lesions per bull was significantly correlated with daily weight gain, carcase weight, and the width of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Lesions were statistically independent, indicating that local biomechanical factors within the joints are important in the pathogenesis. In conclusion, we suggest that the high incidence of hind limb osteoarthritis reported in the Swedish beef bull population can be explained by the high prevalence of skeletal lesions found in the present material. The lesions appeared to be related to high growth rate and to the breed.     

Genetic correlations between male reproductive traits and growth traits in growth performance tested Duroc,Landrace and Yorkshire breed boars

Male‐related traits at 180–225 days of age for 6464 grow‐finish performance tested boars were measured from 2000 to 2016. Heritability estimates and genetic correlations among average daily gain, feed efficiency, back fat thickness, teat counts, mounting libido, leg locomotion, penile length, sperm motility, sperm concentration and total sperm counts were estimated by VCE software using a multiple traits animal model in each breed. Growth‐tested boars had heritability estimates of male reproductive traits in 0.34–0.56 of teat counts, 0.12–0.20 of libido, 0.08–0.12 of locomotion, 0.17–0.58 of penile length, 0.04–0.21 of sperm motility and concentration, 0.17–0.30 of total sperm counts. Total sperm counts were genetically positively correlated with penile length in all breeds. Boars with higher total sperm counts had genetically better libido and locomotion. Genetic correlation between feed efficiency and sperm motility and feed efficiency and sperm concentration were positive in Duroc and negative in Landrace and Yorkshire. Sperm motility and concentration were genetically negatively correlated with average daily gain in Yorkshire. Male reproductive traits of imported breeds could be improved with care in the change of growth traits, especially in Yorkshire.     

Use of a preputial circumferential mucosal flap for hypospadias management in a Boston terrier

An eight-week-old male Boston terrier presented for penile desiccation and urine pooling in the prepuce due to congenital hypospadias. An advancement flap was created from the dorsal mucosa of the incompletely formed prepuce and sutured circumferentially to construct a longer distal preputial mucosa. V- to Y-plasty of the ventral abdominal skin was utilised to create the preputial skin overlying the mucosal flap. Urethrostomy and partial penile amputation were also performed. Following surgery, the clinical signs of penile desiccation and preputial urine pooling resolved and acceptable cosmetic appearance was achieved. This technique may be considered for glandular or penile hypospadias or following resection of the ventral aspect of the distal prepuce when inadequate tissue is present for a simple two-layer closure of the preputial mucosa and skin.     

Kyphosis in Jersey calves

A condition of Jersey calves involving kyphosis and lordosis is described. Four calves originating from three farms, all the progeny of one bull, were necropsied. The only significant finding was a myopathy mainly affecting sublumbar muscles. The lesions were not consistent with white muscle disease or of any known myopathy affecting Jersey calves. It is likely that this condition represents a primary muscular dystrophy of genetic origin.     

Idiopathic mucosal penile squamous papillomas in dogs

A new papillomatous clinical entity is described affecting the penile mucosa of dogs. The animals, 11 male dogs of different breeds, ageing from 6 to 13 years, were presented for genital mass and occasional haematuria. Surgical incision of the prepuce skin of the anaesthetized dogs showed the presence of single pedunculated, soft, pink-red, cauliflower-like masses arising from the penile mucosa, with diameter ranging from 2 to 8 cm. In all cases, histopathological examination of the excised masses showed normal epithelial differentiation with digitiform expansion of all the layers and elongated rete ridges slanted towards the periphery of the lesion. Evidence of ballooning degeneration or basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies was not found. Both immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction techniques failed to reveal papillomavirus. According to the histological World Health Organization classification of papillomatous lesions and due to the lack of evidence of a viral origin the masses were identified as idiopathic mucosal penile squamous papillomas. Urinary problems resolved after surgical excision, haematuria was therefore considered secondary to ulceration of the papillated masses.     

Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from the testicles of a clinically infected breeding animal

During a post mortem of a six year old simmental bull with severe paratuberculosis infection the testicles were further examined by pathological, histological and microbiological methods. No gross or histological lesions could be observed. Single acid fast organisms were detected in smears taken from sterile testicle tissue. Tissue material was additionally cultured in mycostatin culture media and after 8 weeks of incubation acid fast colonies were demonstrated. Polymerase chain reaction with DNA extracted from cultured bacteria and testicle tissue material resulted in M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis-specific amplicons. The detection of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in the testicle of the bull demonstrates the possibility of bacteriemia in the final stage of clinical paratuberculosis infection. The evidence of transmitting paratuberculosis through contaminated semen and its relevance for artificial insemination is being discussed in the presented paper.     

Parafilariasis: a new parasitic disease of cattle in The Netherlands

In March 2007, cutaneous nodules were observed on the neck, shoulder and back of a breeding bull imported from France in November 2006. The nodules opened spontaneously and produced a haemorrhagic exudate. The cause was Parafilaria bovicola, a filariid nematode not endemic to The Netherlands. The worm can cause substantial economic loss because of the need to trim carcasses and because of the diminished value of hides. The infection is spread by the fly Musca autumnalis, which is common in The Netherlands. Because treatment does not stop the infection from spreading, the bull was culled to prevent the risk of infection of the national herd. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Parafilaria bovicola in The Netherlands.     

Inherited progressive spinal myelinopathy in Murray Grey cattle

In a breeding experiment conducted to determine the mode of inheritance of progressive spinal myelinopathy, semen from a Murray Grey bull which had previously sired affected calves was used to inseminate 120 cows. Female progeny were then inseminated with semen from the same bull. Of the 51 calves born, six (11.8%) had spinal cord lesions consistent with progressive spinal myelinopathy. From analysis of pedigrees and the results of the breeding experiment it was concluded that the condition was inherited as an autosomal recessive condition in Murray Grey cattle.