CAVERNOSOGRAPHY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF ERECTION FAILURE IN BULLS

Reproductive failure of herd bulls is a costly clinical problem for be ef producers. Although breeding soundness evaluation (as recommended b y the Society for Theriogenology) is an excellent screening tool for d etermining the potential breeding ability of bulls, abnormalities of e rection may not be detected by routine use of the electroejaculator. O bserved test mating may identify erection abnormalities in bulls. Cont rast radiography of the corpus cavernosum penis is a minimally invasiv e and easily performed diagnostic procedure in bulls. This article des cribes the technique for contrast cavernosography, illustrates the nor mal penis, and provides examples of bulls with congenital or acquired vascular shunts that prevent normal erection.