Bull Breeding Soundness examination Flashcards
What is the importance of bulls?
No other individual makes as much contribution to the herd:
- Genetics
- Calves born/Milk in the tank
- Disease?
What is the objective of the bull breeding soundness examination?
To detect bulls whose fertility is sub-optimal and avoid using them
What is the aim of a fertile bull?
Should get 90% of 50 normal, cycling, disease free females pregnant within 9 weeks
60% should become pregnant within the first 3 weeks of the breeding period
To achieve good fertility in natural service conditions the bull must be able to …? (4 answers)
- Find cows in heat
- Mount the cow
- Serve the cow
- Produce large amounts of viable sperm
Name the 3 stages of the bull breeding soundness examination
- General clinical exam
- Reproductive tract exam
- Semen evaluation
The general clinical exam includes evaluation of?
- Condition score
- Locomotion and gait
- Conformation
- Ocular conditions
- Teeth
What is the ideal BCS of a bull?
Ideally 3 or 3.5 at start of breeding period
Why do ocular conditions of a bull need to be assessed?
Need to be normal to detect cows in heat
Why do a bulls teeth need to be assessed?
May have overshot or undershot jaw which is heritable
The reproductive tract examination includes evaluation of?
- Scrotal circumference
- Testicles and related structures
- Accessory sex glands
- Prepuce and penis
Scrotal circumference is highly correlated to…?
Total sperm output
At 2 years old what is the minimum scrotal circumference a bull for breeding should have?
34cm
Name 4 methods of semen collection
- Artificial vagina
- Electro-ejaculation
- Trans-rectal ampullary massage
- Internal artificial vagina
Which method of semen collection is the most reliable?
Electro-ejaculation
The semen evaluation assesses …?
- Gross motility
- Linear progressive motility
- Morphology
- WBCs
How can libido be tested?
There are no standard libido tests
Rule of thumb - If a bull is put with a cow on heat then he should serve her definitely within 20 minutes and ideally within 10
Where can problems of the reproductive tract occur?
- Penile and preputial problems
- Problems with the accessory sex glands
- Problems with the testes
- Sexually transmitted disease
A broken penis is also termed?
A penile haematoma
A broken penis is also termed?
A penile haematoma
How can a penile haematoma be treated?
- Cull
- Medical management
- Surgical management
How is a penile haematoma medically managed?
- Most successful when swelling is <15cm diameter.
- Sexual rest for 2 months
- Cold hosing for 4 days followed by warm hosing and massage for 3 week
- Antibiotics to stop abscess formation & NSAIDs
How is a penile haematoma surgically managed?
Removal of blood clot and suturing of tunica albuginea where possible
Followed by medical treatment
A penile fibropapilloma is caused by?
Bovine papilloma virus
When is a penile fibropapilloma most common?
- Most common in young bulls
- May disappear over time but can take some time and may interfere with serving, therefore surgical removal may be indicated.
List some other penile and preputial problems
- Penile deviations
- Hair rings
- Persistent frenulum
- Preputial injuries
- Preputial prolapse
What are the 3 main bovine venereal diseases?
- Campylobacter fetus venerealis
- Trichomonas foetus
- Bovine herpes virus 1
What are the clinical signs of Campylobacter fetus venerealis infection?
- Endometritis after service
- Failure to conceive
- Late embryonic death
- Abortion: usually 4-5months
How does infection with Campylobacter fetus venerealis differ in males and females?
- After becoming infected the cow develops immunity after a few months and can get pregnant again but may shed for up to 1 year
- Bulls don’t develop immunity but young bulls (<4y.o) can sometimes be treated with Streptomycin
Describe diagnosis of Campylobacter fetus venerealis in males and females
Males – sheath washing & culture (APHA sampling kit)
Females – vaginal mucus culture
Poor sensitivity so repeat sample is needed
Describe how to control Campylobacter fetus venerealis
- Use AI for at least 2 years or longer (not always possible for beef herds)
- Separate infected from non-infected herds
What is trichomonas foetus?
Protozoan parasite- not found in the UK
Describe infections of bulls with trichomonas foetus
Bulls are carriers, after transient balanoposthitis they become asymptomatic carriers
Describe infections of cows with trichomonas foetus
Females return to service, possible mucoflocculent discharge 1 week after service, may cause abortion at 2-4 months, may lead to pyometra
How is trichomonas foetus treated?
No licensed treatment in the UK
Infectious Pustular Vulvovaginitis/Balanoposthitis is caused by?
Bovine herpes virus 1
Describe Bovine herpes virus 1 infections in a cow
- Mucopurulent vaginal discharge.
- Inflammation of the vaginal and vulvar mucosa with pustules which become ulcers
Describe Bovine herpes virus 1 infections in a bull
Painful swelling of the penis and prepuce
How is bovine herpes 1 diagnosed?
PCR or FAT on swabs, or paired serology
How is bovine herpes 1 treated?
No specific treatment, will get better without treatment
