Infertility in Male Animals...................................................................................................

10.7.6 Infertility in Male Animals Infertility in the male may be temporary as in the case of an overheated boar, or it may be permanent. The male may simply have mechanical difficulties to breed a female because of leg or feet problems, difference in size of the two animals, or abnormalities in his reproductive organs. There may be problems in the quantity or quality of his sperm.

In some situations, the male is overused and is breeding too many females in a short period of time. See page 165.

Male animals that are too fat may not be able to breed properly.

Breeding boars raised in isolation may also fail to perform well.

The two most common reasons for swollen testicles are infection and injury. Infection is often due to Brucella which causes the testicles to swell and then shrink, resulting in infertility. More rarely, a tumor may cause the testicles to become larger than normal.

Symptoms/Diagnosis: The testicles will be enlarged, painful and hot, due to inflammation. A chronic infection may cause abscesses to form in the testicles.

Treatment: Bathe the testicles in cold water. If the animal has a fever or other signs of infection, give antibiotics such as penicillin or tetracycline. If the animal is in pain, give a painkiller such as aspirin.

Control/Prevention: Do not buy animals that have unevenly shaped, small, or swollen testicles. Do not buy animals from a farm that has a history of selling animals with testicle problems.

See page 247.