Ram epididymitis: case reports.

Epididymitis is an important cause of reduced fertility in rams. Depending on the causative agent and sexual experience of the affected animals, two pathological entities have been reported: ‘ram epididymitis’ (RE) and ‘lamb epididymitis’ (LE). The study was performed on 150 rams. Gross examination of testis and epididymis was made for each case. Tissue specimens were processed according to routine histological techniques. Blood and lesional tissue samples were often available for serological and bacteriological examinations. Eleven cases (7%) of epididymitis were found, unilateral in 91% and localized to the tail of epididymis in 27%. The testicular parenchyma generally showed different degrees of degeneration up to atrophy. Serology showed a positive reaction for Brucella spp. in four rams. Among these, B. melitensis was isolated in three animals and Histophilus somni in one. In another case, which was serologically negative for Brucella spp., Streptococcus spp. was isolated. The prevalence of ram epididymitis (7%) was in agreement with the literature. Spermatogenesis was impaired in most cases. As the lesion is predominantly unilateral, rams with epididymitis may be fertile and/or sexually active and transmit venereal infections. The isolation of B. melitensis in three cases, together with its serological prevalence in Sicily, suggests the absence of B. ovis in southern Italy.