Breeding Soundness Evaluation in Bulls

Question 1

Components of a soundness evaluation:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Answer 1

1. Eval of bulls history
2. General PE
3. Examination of the testes and measurement of scrotal circumference
4. Detailed examination of the genital tract
5. Collectivization and analysis of representative semen samples

Question 2

4 Parts of the Bull BSE guidelines

Answer 2

1. PE
2. Minimum scrotal circumference based on age
3. Minimum progressive motility of 30%
4. Minimum of 70% morphologically normal cells

Question 3

Why would you schedule a test mating for a bull?

Answer 3

If the bull has a history of infertility or failure to breed

Question 4

T/F: Test mating is not included in routine BSE

Answer 4

T

Question 5

Test mating can reveal:

1.
2.
3.

Answer 5

1. Penile deviations
2. Evaluations of libido
3. Ability to make intromission

Question 6

A bulls permanent ID can be given in what forms:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Answer 6

1. Metal ear tag
2. Tattoo
3. Hot brand

4 Freeze brand

5 Horn brand

6 EID

Question 7

Palpation of Penis:

1. How to perform?
2. (Should/should not) be freely movable?

Answer 7

1. through the sheath

2. Should be

Question 8

Things to look for during visualization of penis:

1.
2.
3.

Answer 8

1. Warts
2. Hair ring
3. Persistent frenulum

Question 9

Testicle Palpation should be (soft/firm)?

Scrotum should be (pendulous/tightly adhered)?

Answer 9

firm

pendulous

Question 10

T/F: Scrotal circumference is important to measure due to it’s close correlation with daily sperm output

Answer 10

T

Question 11

Which accessory gland will you have trouble palpating?

Answer 11

Bulbourethral glands

Question 12

Which structure during rectal palpation will feel like a broomstick on the floor of the pelvis and has muscular contractions while palpating?

Answer 12

Urethralis m

Question 13

Which structure during rectal palpation will feel like a ring on a giants finger?

Answer 13

Prostate

Question 14

Which lobulated structures during rectal palpation will be paired, symmetrical, freely movable and located craniolateral to the prostate?

Answer 14

Seminal vesicles (vesicular glands)

Question 15

Which structure during rectal palpation will feel thick walled and tubular, and lies along the midline between the seminal vesicles?

Answer 15

Ampulla

Question 16

Which structure during rectal palpation will be felt cranial and ventraolateral to the pelvic brim, and feel like slits in the abdominal oblique muscle?

Answer 16

Inguinal rings.

Question 17

Greater than ________ size inguinal rings may be predisposed to herniation

Answer 17

three fingers

Question 18

Semen Collection methods:

1. most common?
2. useful with young bulls?
3. use exclusively at bull stud operations?

Answer 18

1. Electro-ejaculation
2. Manual massage
3. Artificial Vagina (AV)

Question 19

How to examine gross motility of semen?

Answer 19

A undiluted drop of semen on a warmed slide under low power.

Question 20

How to examine progressive motility of semen?

Answer 20

40X power with a small amount of semen diluted with saline.

Question 21

Minimum acceptable progressive motility?

Answer 21

30%

Question 22

How to examine mophology of semen?

Answer 22

Semen stained with eosin-nigrosin stain with oil at 1000X.

Question 23

How can you classify semen during morphological evaluation:

1. Based on origin of defect?
2. Based on association with infertility?
3. Based on significance?

Answer 23

1. normal/primary/secondary
2. Minor/Major
3. Compensable/Noncompensable

Question 24

Minimum acceptable morphology for semen evaluation?

Answer 24

70% normal

Question 25

Semen Slide preperation

Answer 25

add semen to a drop of stain on the slide

Question 26

when would you stain semen with Diff-Quik? Why?

Answer 26

If vesiculitis is suspect, because than you can see the WBCs

Question 27

Primary sperm morphological defect:

1. Origin of defect?
2. Usually involves what part of semen?

Answer 27

1. originates in testis during spermatogenesis, aka “production problem”
2. Head and middle piece

Question 28

Secondary Sperm morphological defect:

1. Origin of defect?

Answer 28

Originates in the epididymis, aka “Transit defect”

Question 29

Definition:

Major vs Minor Sperm defects

Answer 29

Major - those that have been proven to be associated with infertility

Minor - not associated with infertility

Question 30

Define: A compensable sperm defect

Answer 30

A morphological defect that can be compensated for by additional normal sperm.

Question 31

Define: A non-compensable sperm defect

Answer 31

An abnormality that will express a decrease in fertility at the % level of ocurrence. They compete directly with normal sperm, but do not achieve fertilization

Question 32

A bent tail spermatozoa is an example of a (compensable/non-compensable) sperm defect?

Explain

Answer 32

compensable.

can’t swim normal, don’t make it to oviduct, doesn’t induce arcosome rxn.

Addition of normal spermatozoa would increase chances of fertilization

Question 33

Examples of sperm structural abnormalities:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Answer 33

1. Ruffled arcosome
2. Severely bent tail
3. Pseudo-droplet (a mitochondrial defect)
4. Mis-shaped head
5. Distal cytoplasmic droplet
6. Giant head

Question 34

Final Classifications given to Bulls on BSE:

1.
2.
3.

Answer 34

1. Satisfactory
2. Unsatisfactory
3. Deferred

Question 35

How often can you re-test BSE?

Answer 35

every 60 days