Diagnosing ovine epididymitis by immunofluorescence

Antisera against Actinobacillus seminis, Brucella ovis and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis were prepared in adult female goats. Specific immunofluorescence was observed in cultural smears of A seminis, B ovis and C pseudotuberculosis by the direct technique and in smears of A seminis also by the indirect technique. Individual organisms could be recognised. Specific fluorescence of A seminis was readily detected in semen. The results indicate that immunofluorescence may offer an effective method for rapidly and accurately diagnosing bacterial epididymitis in sheep, especially before epididymal lesions are palpable.