Reproductive Pathogens

Question 1

What is a commensal?

Answer 1

Organism which is naturally present in an animal
Doesn’t cause disease under normal conditions
Does not invade
Expected to be present
Will only cause disease if circumstances allow

Question 2

How do commensals help against pathogens

Answer 2

Compete against pathogens
Prime immune system against pathogens

Question 3

Where do we find commensals in a female repro tract (most to least)

Answer 3

○ Perineum
○ Vulva - first barrier to entrance of organisms
○ Clitoris
○ Vestibule - second barrier to entrance of organisms
○ Vagina
○ Cervix - third barrier to entrance of organisms
○ Uterus

Question 4

Which species will have contamination of the uterus post-mating?

Answer 4

Species where ejaculation occurs directly into uterus
* Cow
* Sow
* Bitch

Question 5

Where do we find commensals in a male repro tract (most to least)

Answer 5

○ Preputial skin
○ Preputial lining
○ Penis
○ Urethra
○ Rare within accessory glands
○ Not normally within vas deferens or testes

Question 6

When do diseases occur?

Answer 6

When exposed got pathogenic bacteria or viruses
Overgrowth of commensals - usually required damage to tissue

Question 7

Names of male inflammation

Answer 7

Preputial lining - Posthitis
Penis - Balanitis
Urethra - Urethritis
Prostate - Prostatitis
Testis - Orchitis

Question 8

Names of female inflammation

Answer 8

Perineum - Dermatitis/vulvitis
Vagina - Vaginitis/vestibulitis
Cervix - Cervicitis
Uterus - Endometritis/metritis/pyometra
Placentitis
Uterine tube - Salpingitis
Ovary - Oophoritis

Question 9

What is a reproductive pathogen?

Answer 9

A pathogen which affects the reproductive tract
Can be by specific pathogens or include commensals
Transmitted by:
○ Semen or vaginal secretion
Venereal pathogen
○ Other routes (e.g. respiratory route)
Von-venereal

Question 10

Uterine Contamination Post-partum

Answer 10

Most commonly due to commensals
○ Associated damage to endometrium is present as placenta detaches
As deeper layers of the uterus are exposed the commensal organisms can penetrate to the myometrium
○ Condition is called Metritis

Question 11

Metritis

Answer 11

As deeper layers of the uterus are exposed the commensal organisms can penetrate to the myometrium
Sick animals - systemic illness
Condition can improve and become more superficial (endometritis)

Question 12

Uterine contamination at mating

Answer 12

Bitch, cow, sow
Bacteria usually rapidly cleared by immune response and uterine contractions but if these are abnormal bacteria can persist
Can lead to endometritis or metritis if severe
Taylorella in mares
Bovine venereal campylobacteriosis in cows

Question 13

Herpesviruses

Answer 13

Respiratory and reproductive tract disease
May lay dormant - latent infection
Causes resorption or abortion in pregnant animals when in respiratory tract
Cause vesicular disease when in reprotract