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Abortion in mature, debilitated ewes was found to be associated with Actinomyces pyogenes (Corynebacterium pyogenes). Affected animals were debilitated, desert females 2-3 years of age. A. pyogenes and Escherichia coli type 1 were isolated 3-6 hours post abortion and were identified from uterine secretions based on serology and cultural characteristics. The pathogenicity of the two isolates was evaluated by intraperitoneal inoculation of culture broths into pregnant guinea-pigs. Only A. pyogenes was retrieved from the aborted fetuses. This suggests that A. pyogenes, but not E. coli type 1, was involved in ovine abortions, but whether its role was primary or secondary is not known. The extent to which E. coli type 1 and/or nutrition contributed to these abortions is uncertain. This abortifacient has not been previously reported in Sudan.