Epididymitis of rams in the central and southern districts of the Orange Free State.

Scrotal palpation, microscopical examination of semen smears and the application of bacteriological techniques, revealed the incidence of Actinobacillus seminis and Brucella ovis infection of rams in the central and southern districts of the Orange Free State to be 2,9% and 4,3%, respectively. More Dorper than Merino rams were affected. Although clinically detectable epididymitis was found in 5,9% of rams examined, infection with A. seminis and B. ovis, as measured by the presence of neutrophils in semen and positive semen cultures, could only be demonstrated in a small minority of affected cases. These organisms were found more regularly in clinically negative rams excreting neutrophils in their semen. Possible reasons for the high incidence of sheep brucellosis in rams in the particular area as well as the higher incidence of infection in Dorper rams are discussed.