Vibriosis in Cattle

Vibriosis is a venereal disease causing infertility and, occasionally, abortion. It is caused by the bacterium Campylobacter fetus, which lives in the crevices of a bull’s prepuce (foreskin), but usually does not become established in the bull until it is about 4 years old or older.

Vibriosis is spread from an infected bull to a cow during the breeding act. Bulls also may be infected by breeding infected cows. Although semen from reputable bull studs is usually “clean” because of proper health examinations of the bulls and treatment of semen, this disease can be transmitted through artificial insemination if these precautions
are not taken.

Untreated, infected bulls can remain carriers for a long time. They also can be “clean” yet transmit the germ from an infected cow to a “clean” cow.

Vibriosis in females causes endometritis (infection of the inner lining of the uterus), resulting in failure to conceive or death of the embryo. Affected cows may conceive and not return to heat 21 days later. However, the newly formed embryo may then die, become absorbed by the cow and then she may exhibit estrus from 27 to 53 days after breeding. Abortions late in gestation can occur, but are unusual.

Diagnosis is difficult and depends on identifying cultures of the organism from the genitalia of the infected cow or bull, or from the abomasum (fourth stomach chamber) of an aborted fetus. Prevent vibriosis by vaccinating cattle, using artificial insemination, treating infected animals, or combining all three.

Source:

Reproductive Diseases in Cattle
EDITED BY L. R. SPROTT AND ROBERT W. FIELD