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BREED DIFFERENCES IN ABNORMALITIES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF YOUNG BEEF BULLS
Author(s) -
Chenoweth P. J.,
Osborne H. G.
Publication year - 1978
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/j.1751-0813.1978.tb00285.x
Subject(s) - brahman , breed , shorthorn , biology , zoology , crossbreed , hypoplasia , veterinary medicine , anatomy , medicine
SUMMARY A total of 702 examinations were conducted on young (16 to 31 months) beef bulls of 3 breeds and 3 breed crosses (Brahman cross — 100; Africander cross — 93; Shorthorn cross — 109; Brahman — 81; Africander — 89, and Hereford — 230). A high occurrence of both increased size (overall 11.7%) and consistency (overall 40.2%) of seminal vesicles was observed. The Hereford breed had most enlarged (19.1%, P.01) and firm (20.9%, P.01) seminal vesicles. The significance of these findings is discussed. Testicular hypoplasia was diagnosed in 2.7% of examinations. The Brahman breed had most testicular hypoplasia (8.6%, P.01). The implications of this finding are discussed and the need is stressed for a wider investigation of gonad development in the Brahman breed in Australia. Other findings included: small seminal vesicles in 1.6% of examinations (Brahman breed highest with 8.6%, P.001), enlarged ampullae, 1.9%, ‘soft’ testicles, 3.4% and small testicles, 7.5%. Abnormal carriage of the testicles was detected in 0.3% of examinations. Ulceration of the prepuce was observed in 6.8% of examinations. The highest occurrences were in the SH (13.8%, P.01) and Africander (13.5%, P.05) breed groups. Varying degrees of preputial eversion or prolapse were seen in 0.7% of examinations with the Bx breed group having highest representation (3.0%, P.05).