Clinical and ultrasonographic findings in rams with scrotal enlargement

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the clinical, ultrasonographic, and serological findings of scrotal enlargement in Iraqi Awassi rams in Nineveh governorate, Iraq. A total of 172 rams were brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, and a private clinic by the owners from different areas of Nineveh governorate between 1/4/2021 to 1/7/2021. All animals underwent ultrasonographic and serological examinations. The animals were 18 months - 6 years of age, with body condition scores ranging between 3-4 (on a scale from 1-5). The animal case history detailed was recorded, and clinical, with the ultrasonographic investigation, was done; a blood sample was taken to the lab and checked for Brucella spp by the Rose Bengal test. results revealed a total of 172 rams studied cases were 57 events of scrotal enlargement in study 57/172 (33.13%). Scrotal enlargement was associated with orchitis 29/57 (50.87%), peri-orchitis 12/57 (20.05%), and epididymitis 11/57 (19.29%). The other assorted finding was scrotal hernia 2/57 (3.50%), scrotal hematoma 1/57 (1.75%), hydrocele 1/57 (1.75%), and unilateral cryptorchidism 1/57 (1.75%). Orchitis 29 cases were associated with no abscess formation on 9/29 (31.03%), single abscess formation on 8/29 (27.58%), and multiple abscesses formations on 12/29 (41.37%). Serological tests of males with scrotal enlargement for Brucella spp were in frequency with other unknown cases which positive to Brucella were 37/57 (64.91%) cases and 22/57 (38.59%) negative cases, respectively. In conclusion, orchitis, peri-orchitis, epididymitis, and other male scrotal enlargement need more investigation and studies due to their effect on male fertility. Brucella spp was the main cause of male reproductive system infection, and ultrasonography was very effective for diagnosing infection when connected with lab data results.