K. P.

Paudel

Specific and Non-specific Infections Affecting Genital Organs

Attending genital tract infections constitute an important part of veterinary clinical practice.
Infections of the genital tract affect fertility by altering its environment so that there may be
impaired transport of sperm, sperm death, failure of development of the conceptus or fetal
death and/or abortions. Both specific and non-specific infections occur naturally. Specific
infections occur without predisposing causes and such diseases are generally enzootic and
occasionally sporadic or even epidemic in nature. However, non-specific infections usually
are associated with some kind of predisposing factor and tend to affect individual animal. The
organisms involved are opportunist pathogens, which normally inhabit the environment
including the reproductive tract itself.

Non-specific infections:
Conditions Features and organisms involved
Puerperal metritis Corynebacterium pyogenes, group C streptococci, hemolytic
staphylococci, coliform organisms. Since the condition is usually
associated with retentions of placenta, the condition is severe,
therefore could be fetal due to systemic toxaemia. Line of
treatment is administration of systemic antibiotics, antihistamines
if felt necessary and drainage of the uterus.
Endometritis It generally does not produce systemic symptoms. The causal
organisms reach the uterus from the vagina at coitus, insemination
or parturition or very rarely through circulation. Non-specific
infections include E.Coli, Bacillus species, Staphylococcus aureus
Enterobacter, Pseudomonas species, Streptobacillus species,
Corynebacterium species, Streptococcus species and many others.
Line of treatment is administration of antibacterial/antibiotic and
sexual rest for a cycle or two.
Pyometra This is the condition arisen due to progressive accumulation of pus
in the uterus associated with persistent CL on the ovary. Generally
this is the sequel of puerperal metritis or chronic endometritis.
Treatment as above and hormone (PGF2 alpha) therapy for
luteolysis.
Salpingitis Generally extends from pyometra or endometritis. Difficult to
diagnose clinically.
Cervicitis and vaginitis Any environmental opportunistic organism/pathogen can establish
infections if the organs are damaged or traumatized. Obstetrical
traumas are the main predisposing factors. Treatment line: consider
surgical dressing and suturing if necessary.

Reproductive tract infections in crossbred cattle in Nepal: bacterial isolates – species

distribution trend:
Bacterial species Percent (n = 175)
E.Coli 28
Bacillus species 20
Staphylococcus aureus 6
Enterobacter 6
Pseudomonas species 6
Streptobacillus species 5.2
 Corynebacterium species 5.2
Streptococcus species 5
Campylobacter species 1
Others 17

Summary of Infections/conditions causing abortions and subsequent

infertility:
This information refers to bovines. For details and for reference to other species of farm
animals please refer to Veterinary medicine (eight edition, page 796 table) and Veterinary
obstetrics and genital diseases (Pages 107 – 126) and for prevention and control refer to
Preventive medicine lectures on bacterial and viral infections.

Specific Conditions Abortion time and associated features

Brucellosis: Abortion, retention of placenta and subsequent infertility. Time of
Brucella abortus in abortion is generally after 6 month of pregnancy. Brucella abortus
cattle has affinity for predilection in pregnant uterus.
Brucella ovis in sheep Abortions, infertility and neonatal mortality in sheep and goat.
and goat
Brucella suis in pig Abortion in pig generally on third month of pregnancy and infertility.
The organism is transmitted sexually and through contaminated
materials from infected placenta/exudates etc.
Trichomoniasis Fetal death and/or Abortion in early pregnancy and subsequent
pyometra and infertility. The most common symptom is infertility
characterized by the necessity for many services per conception and
prolonged period between estrus periods and after breeding. Bulls
carry the protozoon in the prepuce and coital transmission takes
place.
Vibriosis Abortion time 5 –6 months of pregnancy. Sexually transmitted
(campylobacter fetus)
Leptospirosis (L. Abortion late in pregnancy (after 6 month) due to systemic febrile
Pomona and L. symptoms.
hardzo)
Tuberculosis
Infectius bovine No In reproductive form no obvious clinical signs except uneventful
rhinotracheitis (IBR) abortions.
Mycotic infections (Aspergillus, 3 – 7 months of pregnancy. Emerging cause of abortions
Absidia, mucolares rhizppus and
even yeasts )
Listeriosis (L. Late in pregnancy (after 7 months).
monocytogenese)
Epizootic viral 6- 8 months of pregnancy
abortions( Borrelia
species)
Neospora infections Any time in pregnancy. Emerging cause of infertility of present days.
Other protozoal infections Abortions generally associated with febrile systemic symptoms.
(Toxoplasma, trypanosomes,
babesiosis, etc.
NB: Non-specific infections also cause abortions