Ram breeding examination and reproductive disease

What is the job of a ram?

produce spermatozoa, mature spermatozoa, have “libido” (directed towards), be able to mount and introduce spermatozoa into the vagina

When do you perform a general pre working fertility exam?

8-10 weeks prior

What do you check in a general pre working fertility exam?

The 4 Ts - teeth, toes, tone (BCS 3.5-4) & testicles (large and firm as a flexed bicep)

clinical exam and vasectomy scar

How do you collect semen for semen analysis of a ram?

usually electroejaculation- poorer quality than natural ejaculate but often the latter is not possible in rams

What is the down side with semen analysis?

not always well correlated with fertility

Generally for fertility what is necessary in semen analysis?

good motility of the spermatozoa, adequate sperm/numbers/ejaculate (one billion in 0.3 ml), normal morphology, no inflammatory or degenerative products

What do we evaluate in semen analysis?

volume and concentration, gross (initial) motility - wave motion, progressive motility, morphology of spermatozoa and live/dead count -stain, other cells, final overall assessment

Whats the gold standard for working tups?

odd numbers with raddles or keel paint

How long should you leave rams in with females?

2 cycles

What should you do every ½ cycle of every full cycle?

change color (light colors first) of the raddles/keel paint

How many sheep can a 1 year old tup breed?

20

How many sheep can a 1-2 year old tup breed?

30

How many sheep can an adult year old tup breed?

50

What surgerys can you perform in tups?

castration, teaser and hemicastration

What diseases can cause orchitis and epididymitis?

brucella ovis, actinobacillus seminis, trueperella pyogenes, histophilus somni, mannheimia hemolytica, e. coli

What diseases can affect fertility of rams?

testicular torsion, scrotal hernia, trauma, urolithiasis, chorioptes of scrotum