Mycoplasmosis: Experimental and Spontaneous Infections of the Genital Tract of Bulls

Abstract

A strain of M. bovigenitalium was isolated from semen of a bull (K) with chronic seminal vesiculitis. Using this strain a vesiculitis of the same type as found in bull K, characterized by simultaneous acute and chronic lesions, was induced experimentally in 2 bulls by direct inoculation into the vesicular glands. In the acute phase a marked infiltration of eosinophils was found in the interstitial tissues and alveoli whereas in the chronic phase fibrosis, lymphoid and epithelial hyperplasia were seen. Degeneration of vascular walls and connective tissue was common.

On inoculation into the testis of 3 bulls a chronic epididymitis and ampullitis were produced. The histological changes were of the same type as found in the vesicular glands of the 3 bulls with vesiculitis.

By indirect hemagglutination a specific and significant increase in serum antibody could be demonstrated. As the titers were low and the maximum titers were reached early, it will probably not often be possible to make an etiological diagnosis on the basis of serological evidence.

A comparative experiment employing the type strain (PG 11) of M. bovigenitalium was performed. A rise in antibody titer was seen, but neither clinical nor histological changes could be demonstrated.

Sammendrag

Fra sædprøver af tyren K med kronisk sædblærebetændelse isoleredes en stamme af Mycoplasma bovigenitalium. Med denne induceredes eksperimentelt hos 2 tyre en sædblærebetændelse af samme type som hos tyr K, karakteriseret ved samtidige akutte og kroniske forandringer. I den akutte fase fandtes kraftige ansamlinger af eosinophile granulocyter i det interstitielle bindevæv og alveoler, medens der i den kroniske fase sås fibrose, lymphoid og epithelial hyperplasi. Degeneration af bindevæv og karvægge var almindeligt forekommende.

Ved direkte inokulation i testis hos 3 tyre fremkaldtes kronisk epididymitis og ampullitis. De histologiske forandringer var af samme karakter som fundet hos de 3 tyre med sædblærebetændelse.

Der kunne ved indirekte hæmagglutination påvises en specifik, signifikant antistofstigning, men da titrene var lave og maximum hurtigt nået, vil man næppe ret ofte i praksis kunne stille en ætiologisk diagnose på serologisk grundlag.

Der udførtes et sammenlignende forsøg med typestammen (PG 11) for M. bovigenitalium. Efter inokulation i sædblæren fandtes antistofstigning, men der kunne ikke påvises hverken kliniske eller histologiske forandringer.