Breeding Soundness Evaluation

Question 1

What are the components of a breeding soundness exam?

Answer 1

Bulls history
General PE
Examination and measurement of the scrotal circumference
Exam on genital tract
Collection and analysis of representative semen samples

Question 2

What are the 4 parts of the breeding soundness exam ?

Answer 2

PE
Minimum scrotal circumference based on age
Minimize progressive motility of 30%
Minimal 70% morphologically normal

Question 3

When is test making done?

Answer 3

If bull has hx of infertility/failure to breed

Question 4

What are you looking for on PE of a BSE exam?

Answer 4

Bull must be physically sound to breed

Watch him walk

Check his age— teeth

Conformation

Inspect eyes — ulcer, pinkeye, scaring, tumors

Palpate sheath — hematoma, scars, abscesses, infection

Question 5

What is normal for palpation of the testes?

Answer 5

Should be same shape and size
Firm

Epididymis should should be smooth and soft

Pampiniformis plexus and testicular cords should be free of fluid and nodules

Scrotum should be pendulous

Question 6

When taking a scrotal circumference, when is the measuring take tight enough?

Answer 6

When the skin makes a little muffin top over the tape

Question 7

What structures are you able to palpate via rectal exam?

Answer 7

Ampulla
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Urethralis m.

Question 8

What are you palpating..

Feels like a broomstick on the floor of the pelvis
About 2-4cm across
Muscular contractions occur while you are palpating

Answer 8

Urethralis m.

Question 9

What are you palpating?

Feels like a ring on a giant’s finger

Answer 9

Prostate

Question 10

What are you palpating?

Craniolateral to prostate
Lobulated, paired, symmetrical, freely movable

Answer 10

Seminal vesicles (vesicular glands)

Question 11

What are you palpating?

Thick walled tubular 1.5cm diameter
Terminal dilation of ductus deferens
Medial to seminal vesicles

Answer 11

Ampulla

Question 12

What are you palpating?

Cranial and ventrolateral to pelvic brim
Slits in muscle wall

Answer 12

Inguinal rings

Question 13

When palpating inguinal rings, if greater than _________in size the animal may be predisposed to herniation

Answer 13

3 fingers

Question 14

What methods can be used for semen collection in bulls?

Answer 14

Electro-ejaculation

Manual massage

• young bulls
• refractory to electro-ejaculation

AV collection
-bull stud operations

Question 15

How do you assess gross motility of semen?

Answer 15

Undiluted drop of semen on low power

Question 16

How do you evaluated progressive motility of semen?

Answer 16

Small amount of semen diluted with saline
Cover slip on 40x

Give a % number
Minimum acceptable is 30%

Question 17

How do you assess morphology of semen?

Answer 17

Stain with eosin-nigrosin stain
Oil 1000x
Count 100 cells

Normal/primary/secondary
Minimum acceptable is 70% normal

Question 18

What should you stain the semen with if you suspect a vesiculitis?

Answer 18

Diff-quick to see WBC

Question 19

What are the characteristics of a sperm that is classified morphologically as primary?

Answer 19

A defect that originates in the testis during spermatogenesis —> usually involved head and middle piece

“Production problem”

Question 20

What are the characteristics of a sperm that is classified morphologically as secondary?

Answer 20

A defect that originates in epididymis

“Transit defect”

Question 21

What are the characteristics of a sperm that is classified morphologically as major or minor defects?

Answer 21

Major — proven to be associated with infertility

Minor— not associated with infertility

Question 22

What is a compensable defect ?

Answer 22

Morphological defect that can be compensated for my additional normal sperm

Eg bent tail spermatozoa

Question 23

What is a non-compensable defect?

Answer 23

Abnormality that will express a decreased in fertility at the % level of its occurrence
These sperm compete directly w normal sperm to penetrate the ova and induce acrosome rxn but to not achieve fertilization

Question 24

What are causes of increased sperm abnormalities?

Answer 24

Heat 
Illness 
Lameness
Stress 
Genetics