Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of trichomoniasis in cattle

Bulls are increasingly able to carry Tritrichomonas foetus in the folds of epithelium on the surface of the penis and prepuce as they age. Transmission to the female reproductive tract at coitus does not necessarily interrupt fertilization, but results in embryonic or fetal death after the determination of pregnancy. A definitive diagnosis in a suspect herd requires positive identification of the cause, either from preputial scrapings/flushings, or from aspirated cervicovaginal mucus. The self-limiting nature of infection in the female, and the chronic nature of infection in the male, make it more profitable to pursue the diagnosis in the bull battery first. Serological tests for screening female herds have been successful under experimental conditions. In natural service management systems, control involves segregation of the female by pregnancy status; the use of young, culture-negative bulls; and vaccination of females in enzootic areas.