Testicular inflammatory diseases in the buck.

Introduction: Orchitis and epididymitis have been poorly studied in the buck. Bacteria and protozoa have been reported as main causative agents. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed on caprine testes registered in the archive of the department. Testes were grossly and microscopically evaluated. Serological and bacteriological investigations were carried out where possible. Results: Thirteen orchitis and 25 epididymitis cases (with eight exhibiting both pathologies), were found in a survey of 165 bucks. Six cases of necrotizing orchitis involving the whole parenchyma were also recognized. In another case, an intratubular orchitis was observed. Interstitial orchitis was diagnosed in six cases. In seven cases, sperm granulomas were detected, mainly in the epididymal head. In another 18 cases, infectious epididymitis including sclerosing, necrotizing and suppurative forms were diagnosed. In five cases of necrotizing orchitis/epididymitis, Brucella melitensis infection was suggested by serology, bacteriology and type of lesions. In two cases of interstitial orchitis and sclerosing epididymitis, Chlamydophila spp. infection was suspected by serological titres before and after castration. In another case, Staphylococcus spp. was isolated. Conclusions: Bucks may occasionally develop both orchitis and epididymitis.A genetic predisposition to sperm granuloma at the epidydimal head is confirmed. B. melitensis and Chlamydophila spp. were important causative agents of these lesions.