PENILE LESIONS OF YOUNG BEEF BULLS IN SICILIANSLAUGHTERHOUSES

Lesions of the penis are underestimated in bulls but they may have important consequences on fertility. Physical defects of the penis, identified during breeding soundness examination, cause the exclusion of the bull as potential breeder. In this study, 825 young beef bulls were evaluated for penile lesions in Sicilian slaughterhouses. These were found in 31 cases (3.8%) including a congenital short penis (0.1%), persistence of the frenulum (0.8%), fibropapilloma (2.3%) and balanoposthitis (0.6%). Specimens were fixed and processed for histological examination. Gross and histological findings were described and compared with literature. Fibropapilloma was the most common penile lesion in young beef bulls. Although the tumour spontaneously regresses or may be surgically treated, the affected bulls can develop pain or penile protrusion failure and should be excluded as breeders to avoid further virus spreading.