Degenerative Orchitis of Calves 375 



(4) that such infection is present, not only in the semi- 

 nal vesicles, but also in the seminiferous tubules and epidi- 

 dymes, 



(5) that the determination of the motility of spermato- 

 zoa does not constitute a reliable standard for the measure- 

 ment of their vitality and powers of fecundation, 



(6) that some outbreaks at least of the so-called contag- 

 ious abortion are entirely referable to a lessened vitality of 

 the spermatozoa. 



A. Orchitis 



1. Degenerative Orchitis of Calves. Destruction of 



Spermatogenetic Epithelium in Calves. Arrest 



in Development of Scrotal Testes. 



Desquamative Orchitis 



There occur not infrequently cases of absolute sterility in 

 young bulls, which reveals itself immediately when the ani- 

 mal is put into service. The general condition of the bull 

 may be beyond criticism. He is distinctly masculine in his 

 head, neck, and voice and shows normal sexual desire. He 

 copulates comparatively promptly but, observed closely, is 

 seen to ejaculate slowly and in a manner to raise doubt. 

 After copulation, little or no semen can be recovered from 

 the vagina. Microscopic search shows the total absence of 

 spermatozoa. 



Clinical examination of the testicles shows them to be 

 small and flaccid. The two glands are symmetrical and one- 

 fourth to three-fourths the normal volume. 



Histologically, the epithelium of the tubuli seminiferi has 

 disintegrated and the tubuli contain detritis. Spermatozoa 

 are absent. Ordinarily there remains but a single epithelial 

 layer on the basement membrane of the tubule. A few im- 

 perfect spermatozoa or spermatoids may be present in the 

 cellular debris in the lumen of the tubules. The tubules of 

 the epididymis participate in the epithelial destruction. 



The degenerative changes are evidently of bacterial ori- 

 gin, but the form of bacteria has not been studied. The de- 

 structive changes appear to be quite analogous to those oc- 

 curring in the oviducts, in which streptococci of the veri- 



