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Bovine Reproduction


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or vaginal tunic is present. Direct inguinal herniation is more likely to result in strangulation and obstruction of bowel with more pronounced and generalized scrotal swelling [17, 18].

Photo depicts inguinal hernia in a bull.

      The presence of an inguinal hernia can be confirmed with rectal palpation and scrotal ultrasound. Palpation should reveal a dilated or disrupted inguinal ring on the affected side and the presence of herniated bowel contained in the ring. Ultrasound of the neck of the scrotum can definitively confirm the presence of bowel. Bulls with intestinal obstruction will present with abdominal pain and distention and will require emergency surgery. Inguinal hernias in bulls that present clinically normal without any signs of obstruction can be managed with elective surgery [17, 18].

      Less Common Causes

Photo depicts generalized edema of scrotal wall due to Mycoplasma weyenoii.

      Primary testicular tumors are not common in bulls but unilateral or bilateral scrotal enlargement has been reported in bulls with mesothelioma [5, 12, 13, 19].

      Hemi‐ or unilateral castration should be considered in bulls with unilateral testicular disease. When one testicle is inflamed, the heat thus generated affects the contralateral testicle and the reversibility of degenerative change depends on the severity and duration of the insult [12]. Valuable animals with unilateral hematoceles, hyrdrocleles, orchitis, periorchitis, or testicular rupture may be able to resume breeding soundness with unilateral castration.

      Although unilateral castration is not an emergency procedure, the prognosis for return to fertility improves if surgery is performed early in the disease process. Early intervention can reduce further insult to the contralateral testicle generated by inflammation, with less likelihood that the testicle will undergo irreversible degeneration. Most bulls will return to fertility following surgery if the remaining testicle is not severely compromised [10, 21, 22]. Compensatory hypertrophy in the normal testis should allow the bull to subsequently produce up to 75% of normal sperm capacity. Therefore, advise owners that restrictions may be necessary following surgery. Additionally, although a bull may be productive in a herd situation, a unilaterally castrated bull will not pass a standardized breeding soundness evaluation and is therefore ineligible for certain shows or sales [10].

Photo depicts elliptical skin incision on lateral aspect of scrotum.

      Source: Image courtesy of Richard Hopper and Heath King.

Photo depicts testicle within parietal vaginal tunic bluntly dissected from scrotal fascia.

      Source: Image courtesy of Richard Hopper and Heath King.

Photo depicts parietal vaginal tunic incised and testicle exposed.

      Source: Image courtesy Darcie Sidelinger & Heath King.

Schematic illustration of double ligation and transection of spermatic cord and vessels.