Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation

Thanks to Dr. Rod Christmas

Objectives

Breeding Soundness Evaluation Components

• Physical Exam/Conformation Faults

• External and Internal Genital Exam

• Semen Exam

• Classification

Indications

• Pre-Breeding

• Pre-Purchase

• Post-Purchase

• If any questions

Medical History

• Vaccinations

• Previous Health Information

Management History

• Feed

• Previous Use

• Breeding Behavior

• Penis during Breeding

Physical Exam Locomotion

Physical ExamSkin

Physical ExamPermanent ID

Physical ExamPermanent ID

Physical ExamEyes

Physical ExamEyes

Physical ExamTeeth

Rear Limb conformation

• Locomotion--Critical.

• Sickle Hocked

• Cow Hocked

• Post Legged

• Crooked Legs/Feet

Rear Limb Conformation

Musculoskeletal disease

• Joints

• Laminitis

• Scars around coronary band

• Interdigital growths

• Footrot

• Hoof Cracks

Interdigital Fibroma

Examination of Underline

Visual Exam of Scrotum

• Scrotal Conformation

• Evidence of Injury

• Skin Lesions

Palpation

• Ensure There Are Two

• Free & Moveable

• Tone

• Symmetry

• Epididymis

Atrophied Left Testicle

Scrotal Circumference

• Indicates Fertility & Puberty

• Ensure Both Testicles are In Scrotum

• Cradle Scrotal Neck

• Place Tape at Largest Diameter

• Pull until Skin Indents

Scrotal Circumference Tape

Proper Tape Placement

Incorrect Hand Placement

Measurement

Minimum Recommended Scrotal Circumference inCentimeters by Age for Bullsa

Age (months) Scrotal Circumference (cm) <15 30>15<18 31>18<21 32>21<24 33 >24 34

a Adapted from the Breeding Soundness Evaluation Form, Society for Theriogenology,Hastings, NE

Breed listing of 205 day scrotal circumference need to produce an average yearling scrotal circumference of 32 cm

Adapted for Geske, J.M.,et.al:Proceeding annual Meeting, Beef Improvement Federation (1994):225-231.

Breed Weaning ScrotalCircumference

Angus 20.8Red Angus 20.6Brangus 20.0Charolais 20.8Gelbvieh 21.6Horned Hereford 22.7Polled Hereford 20.9Limousine 20.0Salers 20.1Simmental 20.1

Internal Reproductive Organ Exam

• Seminal Vesicles

• Ampulla

• Prostate Gland

• Penis (internal portion)

• Inguinal Rings

Internal Genital Organs

Importance of Rectal Exam

• Pathology of Internal Reproductive Organs

• Stimulation

Methods of Collection

• Manual Massage

• Artificial Vagina

• Electroejaculation

Collecting Semen with Artificial Vagina

Electroejaculation

External Exam of Penis & Prepuce

• Incomplete Extension

• Frenulum

• Hair Rings

• Fibropapillomas (Warts)

• Prolapse of Prepuce

• Lacerations

• Adhesions

Penile Hair Ring

Persistent Frenulum

Penile Fibropapilloma

Semen Evaluation Equipment

Minimum Recommended Motility is: 30% or FAIR (F)a

Mass Activity (Gross) Rating IndividualRapid Swirling Very Good (VG) >70%Slower Swirling Good (G) 50-69%

Generalized Oscillation Fair (F) 30-49%Sporadic Oscillation Poor (P) <30%

a Adapted from the Breeding Soundness Evaluation Form, Society for Theriogenology,Hastings, NE.

Semen Evaluation Motility

Semen Evaluation Morphology

• Determined at 1000X

• Eosin-nigrosin stain

• 70% Normal

Making Slide

Normal Bovine Sperm

Common Sperm Abnormalities

Common Sperm Abnormalities

Classification of Bulls

• Satisfactory Potential Breeder

• Deferred

• Unsatisfactory Potential Breeder

Society for Theriogenology

Additional Testing

• Trichomonas Cultures

• Brucellosis

• Pelvic Measurement

• Hip Height

• Carcass Ultrasound

Preputial Culture

Trichomoniasis

• Diagnosis:– Smear - detect high

numbers– Culture - In-Pouch® -

culture or transport– Bulls better to culture -

serial cultures from bulls

Economics of Testing

• 10-20% of All Bulls Tested will Fail the Examination

• 10% of Bulls that Pass will have Substandard Fertility Compared to Others

-Pass the Standards, but have Inherent Infertility

Economics of Testing

• Bulls that have Passed a Breeding

Soundness Examination will have a 7% Increase in Pregnancy Rates on Average Over Those that were not Tested.

Economics of Testing

• 35 Cows x 7% = 2.5 extra calves/bull

• Open Cow Value: 1200lb x $.50/cwt = $600

• Bred Cow Value 2nd Stage: App. $900

• Difference/Cow = $300 x 2.5 = $750/bull

• Soundness Exam = $35-40/bull

20% Return on Investment!

Breeding Soundness ExaminationSummary

• Recommended Any Time a Bull is Turned Out on Cows.

• Invaluable Management Tool with High Return on Investment.

• Insurance that an Infertile Bull is not Diagnosed at Preg Check.

Questions?