VGO 511: Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques (1+1)

JOINT, MUSCLE, NERVE, BONE AND TENDON INJURIES AND PATHOLOGY

• Lesions affecting these structures particularly in hind quarters including hind limbs may cause reduction in sexual desire.

Coxitis

• Inflammation of hip joint
• Common in dogs and boars
• Characterized by a shot stride and adduction of the limb.
• Rupture of the round ligament may be observed in bulls with degenerative coxitis.
• Hip dislocation in one or both limbs may cause inability to copulate.

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Gonitis

• Common in bulls
• Characterized by a short, stiff gait, distension and enlargement of joint capsule of the stifle.
• Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the stifle inhibits mounting in bulls and dogs.

Tarsitis or Degenerative joint lesions in the fetlock or phalangeal joints or ring bone may result in pain and reluctance to copulate.

• Other conditions causing similar signs of reduced libido include
  • Over-grown claws or hooves
  • Suppurative podo dermatitis
  • Quittors or interdigital granulomas
  • Foot rot or interdigital necrosis
  • Tendonitis
  • Suppurative arthritis of the coffin joint
  • Traumatic peroneal nerve paralysis
  • Rupture of gastrocnemius muscle or gluteal or croup muscle.
  • Laminitis
  • Poly arthritis
  • Fracture of pelvis (Rare)

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Spinal Diseases

• In bulls and dogs, symptoms of impotency may be related to spinal disease.
• Characterized by stiffness and soreness in the gait, spinal rigidity and pain over the vertebrae.
• If the spinal cord is compressed then a slight to marked paralysis may be present with a swaying, unsteady gait, a slightly flaccid tail and dragging of the hind limbs.
• Bulls with spondyl-arthroses especially of the lumbo-sacral joint may develop loss of sex libido.
• Bulls with spondylosis often involving most intervertebral spaces and discs, exhibited “Kyposis” a stiff back, stiff hind leg movements or goose stepping and loss of liveliness and mobility. It is common in bulls over 10 years of age.
• In dogs, especially brachcephalic breeds such as the Dachshund, prolapse of intervertebral discs causing compression of the spinal cord results in inability to copulate.
• Tumors also cause compression of spinal cord lead to impotency.

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Spastic syndrome

In Spastic syndrome or Crampiness or Stretches in bulls, may interfere with or prevent copulation due to prolonged spasms of the skeletal muscles of the hind limbs and back.

• All breeds are affected. But common in Holstein Friesian and Guernsey breeds.
• It is probably inherited as a single recessive factor with incomplete penetrance.
• Bulls over 3 years of age are affected.
• Spastic signs are not observed when the bull is lying down but become evident or severe on standing.

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