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Initial steps in defining the environment of the prepuce of the bull by measuring pH and temperature
Author(s) -
Koziol JH,
Fraser NS,
Passler T,
Wolfe DF
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12650
Subject(s) - chemistry
Objective To determine the baseline pH and temperature of the preputial cavity of bulls. Methods We enrolled 55 bulls ranging in age from 15 to 84 months. The preputial temperature and pH were measured by insertion of temperature and pH probes, respectively, into the preputial orifice prior to routine breeding soundness examinations. Information was obtained from owners regarding the diet of each bull and categorised as one of three categories: forage only, grain supplemented or silage supplemented. Results The average temperature of the prepuce was 37.81°C ± 1.76 and the median pH of the prepuce was 8.45 (6.35–9.46). Preputial temperatures of the bull weakly correlated with ambient temperatures (r s = −0.29, P = 0.028). The preputial pH of silage‐fed bulls was significantly lower than that of bulls fed forage only (P = 0.025) or grain‐supplemented diets (P = 0.002). The median preputial pH of bulls fed a silage‐based diet was 7.6 (6.3–8.9) compared with a median pH 8.7 (7.8–9.1) for bulls fed forage‐based diets or a median of 8.5 (7.7–9.4) for those given grain‐supplemented diets. Conclusion Diet and ambient temperature can, respectively, affect pH and the temperature in the prepuce. Further studies to describe and understand the microbiota of the prepuce and penis may assist in developing treatments for diseases of the genital tract in bulls.