Breeding Soundness Evaluation Flashcards
What are the components of a breeding soundness exam?
Bulls history
General PE
Examination and measurement of the scrotal circumference
Exam on genital tract
Collection and analysis of representative semen samples
What are the 4 parts of the breeding soundness exam ?
PE
Minimum scrotal circumference based on age
Minimize progressive motility of 30%
Minimal 70% morphologically normal
When is test making done?
If bull has hx of infertility/failure to breed
What are you looking for on PE of a BSE exam?
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
What is normal for palpation of the testes?
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
When taking a scrotal circumference, when is the measuring take tight enough?
When the skin makes a little muffin top over the tape
What structures are you able to palpate via rectal exam?
Ampulla
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Urethralis m.
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
Urethralis m.
What are you palpating?
Feels like a ring on a giant’s finger
Prostate
What are you palpating?
Craniolateral to prostate
Lobulated, paired, symmetrical, freely movable
Seminal vesicles (vesicular glands)
What are you palpating?
Thick walled tubular 1.5cm diameter
Terminal dilation of ductus deferens
Medial to seminal vesicles
Ampulla
What are you palpating?
Cranial and ventrolateral to pelvic brim
Slits in muscle wall
Inguinal rings
When palpating inguinal rings, if greater than _________in size the animal may be predisposed to herniation
3 fingers
What methods can be used for semen collection in bulls?
Electro-ejaculation
Manual massage
- young bulls
- refractory to electro-ejaculation
AV collection
-bull stud operations
How do you assess gross motility of semen?
Undiluted drop of semen on low power
How do you evaluated progressive motility of semen?
Small amount of semen diluted with saline
Cover slip on 40x
Give a % number
Minimum acceptable is 30%
How do you assess morphology of semen?
Stain with eosin-nigrosin stain
Oil 1000x
Count 100 cells
Normal/primary/secondary
Minimum acceptable is 70% normal
What should you stain the semen with if you suspect a vesiculitis?
Diff-quick to see WBC
What are the characteristics of a sperm that is classified morphologically as primary?
A defect that originates in the testis during spermatogenesis —> usually involved head and middle piece
“Production problem”
What are the characteristics of a sperm that is classified morphologically as secondary?
A defect that originates in epididymis
“Transit defect”
What are the characteristics of a sperm that is classified morphologically as major or minor defects?
Major — proven to be associated with infertility
Minor— not associated with infertility
What is a compensable defect ?
Morphological defect that can be compensated for my additional normal sperm
Eg bent tail spermatozoa
What is a non-compensable defect?
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
What are causes of increased sperm abnormalities?
Heat Illness Lameness Stress Genetics
