Erection, ejaculation and copulation

Question 1

What is significant about some venereal pathogens?

Answer 1

• Some may be commensals in the male, but pathogenic in the female
• Some may be commensals but opportunistic pathogens if correct conditions e.g. immune suppression arise

Question 2

Give some commensal and venereal pathogens in the dog

Answer 2

• Many commensals, none of which are pathogenic
• Brucella canis is venereal, not present in the UK
• Canine herpesvirus 1

Question 3

Give some venereal pathogens in cattle

Question 4

Discuss the clinical signs and transmission of Campylobacter foetus in cattle

Answer 4

• Commensal in the bull - no clinical signs or effect on semen quality
• Contaminated semen/mating results in uterine infection and devastating infertility/pregnancy loss
• Bulls can be cross-contaminated by sharing bedding
• After infection some immunity develops in the herd

Question 5

Discuss the diagnosis, treatment and control of Campylobacter foetus in cattle

Answer 5

Diagnosis

• ID of organism in preputial washings
• Direct smears/culture/fluorescent antibody testing
• Vaginal mucus agglutination test in cows

Treatment

• Bulls remain permanently affected
• Cows will become immune

Control

• Testing and removal of infected bulls
• AI of clean bulls only
• Vaccination of cow prior to breeding

Question 6

Give some venereal pathogens of sheep

Answer 6

• Brucella ovus
• Brucella melitensis - rare
• Chlamydophila abortus

Question 7

Give some venereal pathogens of pigs

Answer 7

• Brucella suis
• Porcine reproductive and respiratory virus
• Porcine herpesvirus
• Porcine parvovirus

Question 8

Give some venereal pathogens of horses and their significance

Answer 8

• Equine herpesvirus 3
• Equine viral arteritis virus
• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Pseudomonoas aeruginosa
• Taylorella equigenitalis –> causes equine metritis. Notifiable!