Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis as a pathogen of the reproductive tract of male small ruminants: case study and review

Abstract

Three cases are presented herein describing manifestations of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CL), in the reproductive tract of two bucks and a ram. The two bucks were presented for poor sperm quality and were subsequently diagnosed with bilateral suppurative orchitis (Case 1) and epididymitis (Case 2) from which C. pseudotuberculosis was cultured. Case 3 is a ram that was presented for semen cryopreservation followed by euthanasia. Electroejaculation produced a poor quality ejaculate, whereas epididymal sperm harvest yielded a better quality sample. Abscesses located adjacent to the epididymis and sigmoid flexure of the penis from CL may have prevented normal ejaculation. All cases presented progressive testicular degeneration, which could result indirectly from exotoxins produced by C. pseudotuberculosis or directly from abscess formation. These cases highlight the need to test for and eradicate CL, as it may have deleterious effects on reproductive success in small ruminant breeding farms.