Intro to Bull Breeding Soundness Exams

What are the five bull fertility principles?

Physcially sound, good quality semen, good sex drive, be free from venereal and other diseases, as fast as possible(and affordably)

What is the main goal of a bull breeding soundness evaluation?

To identify infertile and sub-fertile animals

What should be done in a BBSE during the general physical exam?

ID any physical abnormalities that could compromise fertility/ability to serve or pass heritable defects

Watch them walk!

What estiamted proportion of bulls ahve imapired mobility?

~20%

What should be done in a BBSE in regards to the external genitalia?

Measure Scrotal circumference (SC)

Why is Scrotal circumference an important metric?

A good indicator of daily sperm production

Correlated to faster maturing offspring and greater growth rates

When emasureing SC, what do you hope for and why?

Bigger is better (and heritable)

What pathologifal conditions could be within the scrotal sac that would impair cover ability?

Varicocele, orchitis, epididymitis, testicular degeneration, testicualr hypoplasia

What estimated proportion of bulls are truly infertile?

5%

What condition is seen here?

Testicular degeneration

What condition is seen here?

Evidence of epididymitis

What pathological conditions of the penis should be noted on a BBSE?

Penile deviation, traumatic injuries, blanoposthitis, persistent frenulum, fibropapilloma, congenital defects

What is shown here?

Persistent frenulum

What is seen here?

Fibropapilloma

What structure(s) should you examine internally on a BBSE and waht should be done?

Secondary sex glands, palpate normal anatomy and pre stimualte bull for ejaculation

What condition may be assessed on exmaination of a bull’s internal genitalia?

Seminal vasculitis/adenitis (v painful)

What bacteria most commonly cause seminal vesiculitis?

T. pyogenes

What are the three methods of semen collection?

Rectal stimulation, artificial vagina, EEJ

What method of semen collection is shown here?

Rectal stimulation

What method of semen collection is shown here?

Artificial vagina

What method of semen collection is shown here?

Electroejaculation (EEJ)

On gross semen evaluation, what would be given a subjective score of 1?

semen with “no swirl”

On gross semen evaluation, what would be given a subjective score of 2?

semen with “very slow distinct swirl”

On gross semen evaluation, what would be given a subjective score of 3?

semen with “slow distinct swirl”

On gross semen evaluation, what would be given a subjective score of 4?

semen with “moderate fast distinct swirl, dark waves”

On gross semen evaluation, what would be given a subjective score of 5?

semen with “fast, distinct swirls”

What are the three factors we want to quantify in semen evaluation?

Concentration, % progressively motile sperm, speed of progression

How can you objectivel evaluate progressive motility in semen?

Use Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA)

Why may artificial vaginas be preferred for collecting semen?

Assess libido as well as mehtod of choice for insurance claims

What is the most common collection method in the UK?

EEJ

How can you assess semen morphology?

Stain with nigrosin-eosin and make a “thick blood smear”

What are the semen abnormailties?

Primary/Secondary

Major (head abnormaility)/minor (non-functional but noticeable abnormality)

Compensable/Uncompensable

What is meant when you grade a bull as “suitable for breeding” after BBSE?

This bull could breed 40 females at a rate of 60-65% and able to impregnate 95% in 3 cycles

What is meant when you grade a bull as “unsuitable for breeding” after BBSE?

This bull failed to meet standards at any point during examination

What is meant when you grade a bull as “unsuitable/status defered” after BBSE?

The bull has one failure that may be recoverable in 6-8 weeks (re-test required)

What are the classical venereal diseases of the bull?

Trichomoniasis, Campylobacteriosis, and Ureaplasmosis

Once a bull has been confirmed with a venereal disease, they should

always be considered a permanent carrier and culled