A penile hair ring
Keywords: penis, infertility, hair, ringA hair ring around the base of the glans penis in a young bull. The bull was presented for phimosis (an inability to extend the penis) and the presence of a purulent preputial discharge. The hair ring had caused abrasion, posthitis (inflammation of the preputial cavity) and adhesion formation.
Image size: 1200 x 838 px
It is thought that hair rings form during attempts at breeding, as a result of the penis moving across the rump of females that are shedding their winter coats. This seems likely because it is during the breeding season that cattle shed their coats. The loose hair from the female is carried into the sheath, rolling up on the penis as shown here. Therefore, the hair seen on the penis is not that of the bull, but the female he has attempted to breed. Also, anecdotal data (there is a paucity of published data on the condition) suggests that it is most common in young bulls. This is understandable because young bulls have higher mounts per service ratios than older bulls i.e. in a young bull, it is likely that his penis will travel across the rump of the female (seeking the vulva) more frequently than in older bulls, before copulation occurs.
Hair rings are also commonly seen in young bulls penned together e.g. during feeding trials (Dr Rocky Crisman, docroc@peak.org, personal communication). In such cases, bulls may mount one another to establish dominance within the group.
Hair rings can cause urethral constriction as well as posthitis and adhesions. In small herds herds therefore it may be feasible to run females into chutes and occasionally brush their rumps during the breeding season.
References:
Gray et al. 2011. Hair coat shedding in Angus cows. 2011 Beef Improv. Fed. Conference. Bozeman, Montana.
