Mycoplasmosis: serology of infections in the genital tract of bulls.

An investigation was carried out to determine the extent to which serology may contribute a means of elucidating the possible etiological significance of the presence of Mycoplasma bovigenitalium in bulls with genital tract disease. Experimentally infected bulls showed a significant serological response with maximum titers of antibody as early as 12 days after inoculation as measured by the indirect hemagglutination test. The tetrazolium reduction inhibition test, even as modified, was less suitable because this method did not reveal antibodies in all inoculated animals. The indirect hemagglutination test revealed high titers of antibody in serum of most bulls from bull stations in Denmark and Luxembourg although young bulls were often serologically negative. It is concluded that indirect hemagglutination is useful in experimental work and also in estimating the incidence of infection with mycoplasmas in bulls from artificial breeding stations. For diagnostic purposes, use of the indirect hemagglutination test is largely restricted to young bulls and on condition that the first blood sample is drawn very early in the course of the disease.