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Trichomoniasis

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Trichomoniasis is a disease of the reproductive tract that affectscattle worldwide. It

can lead to extended calving intervals, early fetal death, and infertility.

The parasite Tritrichomonas foetus causes this disease. Bulls carry the parasite and

spread it during breeding. In the United States, most cases are diagnosed in beef

herds. This is because most U.S. beef producers use natural breeding to produce
their annual calf crop. Fewer cases are seen in dairy cattle because the U.S. dairy

industry mainly uses artificial insemination. However, both beef and dairy cattle are

susceptible.

What To Look For

Infected bulls usually show no symptoms. Early fetal death and repeat breeding

(infertility) may be the first signs of infection in a herd.

In infected herds with a short, defined breeding season, the calf crop can decrease

by 50 percent. In herds with longer breeding seasons (such as 6 months or more),

the calving period can be extended. Thus, weaning weights can be dramatically

lower. In smaller, less intensively managed herds where the problem is not

recognized early, cows may produce a calf every 18 months, instead of the normal

12 months. This results in both lower weaning weights and fewer calves produced

during the life of the cows in the herd.

Other diseases can also cause early fetal death and infertility. Testing is the only

way to confirm trichomoniasis infection.

How To Prevent This Disease

You can prevent trichomoniasis by keeping the parasite that causes it (T. foetus) out

of your herd. USDA recommends culling infected bulls and maintaining strict

biosecurity to prevent disease introduction and spread.

A vaccine is available to help control trichomoniasis. But vaccination alone will not

keep the disease from spreading. Other control measures must be in place.

How It Is Treated

Bulls can remain infected indefinitely. Most females can mount an effective immune

response and eliminate infection on their own in about 3 months. Treating infected

animals with anti-protozoal drugs has proven ineffective.
Several management practices can control this disease within a herd. Most

important is to eliminate the infection from the bull battery. This involves culling all

bulls and replacing them with virgin bulls. Another option is to test the bull battery

and cull all positive bulls.

Then, prevent reinfection by exposing only uninfected bulls to uninfected females.

Uninfected females are assumed to be those with calves at side and virgin heifers.

Report Signs of Animal Disease

Producers or owners who suspect an animal disease should contact their

veterinarian to evaluate the animal or herd. Find an accredited veterinarian.

Animal health professionals (veterinarians; diagnostic laboratories; public health,

zoo, or wildlife personnel; and others) report diagnosed or suspected cases of

nationally listed reportable animal diseases to APHIS District Offices and to the State

animal health official as applicable under State reporting regulations. 

Controlling Trichomoniasis

Current Status

Trichomoniasis is endemic in the United States and is a particular problem in

midwestern and western regions of the country.

APHIS' Response

While there are no Federal regulations specific to curbing the spread of

trichomoniasis in the U.S. cattle population, many States have trichomoniasis testing

and other requirements for cattle moving interstate. This helps limit disease spread

between States. Check with the State animal health official of the destination State

for requirements if you need to move cattle between States.

Information for Veterinarians

Diagnosis and Testing
A definitive diagnosis requires isolation of this pathogen from infected animals,

particularly bulls. Preputial smegma is the specimen of choice to use from bulls to

identify T. foetus microscopically. Collect this sample by using a plastic artificial

insemination pipette. Vigorously scrape the surface epithelium in the preputial

fornix; at the same time, gently aspirate the dislodged cellular debris and secretions.

In areas where trichomoniasis is prevalent, we recommend annual testing of all herd

bulls for this disease agent as part of a breeding soundness exam 60–75 days before

turn-out with cows and heifers. This will allow early identification of disease concerns

if the bulls were exposed to an infected cow or heifer during the last breeding

season. Consider re-testing any bulls that commingle with cattle of unknown

trichomoniasis status (such as if a fence was breached) between the time of initial

testing and turn-out.

Learn More

Check out USDA's short online training course on bovine trichomoniasis

View The Merck Manual: Trichomoniasis in Cattle

Visit Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Reports and Assessments

White Paper: Seeking Harmonization of Trichomoniasis Regulatory and Testing

Standards (United States Animal Health Association)