Breed differences in abnormalities of the reproductive organs of young beef bulls

A total of 702 examinations were conducted on young (16 to 31 months) beef bulls of 3 breeds and 3 breed crosses (Brahman cross--100; Africander cross--93; Shorthorn cross--109; Brahman--81; Africander--89, and Hereford--230). A high occurrence of both increased size (overall 11.7%) and consistency (overall 40.2%) of seminal vesicles was observed. The Hereford breed had most enlarged (19.1%, P less than .01) and firm (20.9%, P less than .01) seminal vesicles. The significance of these findings is discussed. Testicular hypoplasia was diagnosed in 2.7% of examinations. The Brahman breed had most testicular hypoplasia (8.6%, P less than .01). The implications of this finding are discussed and the need is stressed for a wider investigation of gonad development in the Brahman breed in Australia. Other findings included: small seminal vesicles in 1.6% of examinations (Brahman breed highest with 8.6%, P less than .001), enlarged ampullae, 1.9%, 'soft' testicles, 3.4% and small testicles, 7.5%. Abnormal carriage of the testicles was detected in 0.3% of examinations. Ulceration of the prepuce was observed in 6.8% of examinations. The highest occurrences were in the SH (13.8%, P less than .01) and Africander (13.5%, P less than .05) breed groups. Varying degrees of preputial eversion or prolapse were seen in 0.7% of examinations with the Bx breed group having highest representation (3.0%, P less than .05).