Exam 3 Flashcards
What are the anatomical parts of the stallions repro tract
Scrotum, testis, epididymis, vas deferense, accessory sex glands, urethra, and penis
What is the location, type, and function of the scrotum
External from the rest of the body, pendulous, and protect the testis
When does testicular descent occur
Last 30 days of gestation to 10 days of age
What is cryptorchidism
One or two testis that does not fully descend into the scrotum
What is a ridgling
A cryptorchid but a thoroughbred
What is a bilateral cryptorchid
Both testis are undescended making the horse sterile but still behaves like a stallion
What is a unilateral cryptorchid
One testis is undescended and is still fertile but not as much spermatozoa is produced
What is the function of the testis
Sperm and testosterone production
What are physical characteristics of stallion testis
Oval shaped at a horizontal orientation and the tail of the epididymis should be facing the tail of the stallion
What are unique characteristics of equine sperm
Tail is offset and swim in large arcs
How does the size of the testis vary on season
Like in females a decrease in melatonin produced in long seasonal days increases their hormone production directly increasing the size of the testis and how much sperm they are producing
What is the function of the epididymis
Maturation and storage (tail)
What is a physical characteristics of the epididymis
Convoluted tubules
What are the methods of thermoregulation
Pampiniform plexus, tunica dartos, skin, and cremaster muscle
What is pampiniform plexus
Convoluted organization of an artery coming from the body is wrapped by the veins that returns blood to the body cooling the blood coming from the body
What is the tunica dartos
One of the external muscles that goes around the whole scrotum and contracts/relaxes based on temp. Heat = relaxes Cold = contraction
What is the temp regulation in the skin of the scrotum
There are temperature sensitive sweat glands that helps w/ evaporative cooling
What is the cremaster muscle
Fight or flight based muscle that contracts anytime the stallion is nervous or tense
How does the cremaster muscle differ from the tunica dartos
The cremaster is not temp based. The cremaster is longer and stronger compared to the tunica dartos but it does not have as much stamina
What does the accessory sex glands produce
Seminal plasma
What forms ejaculate/semen
Spermatozoa mixed w/ seminal plasma
What are the accessory sex glands
Ampullae, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands
What is the function of the ampullae
Produces secretion that is used as a buffer to protect the sperm from changes in pH and temp
What is the function of the seminal vesicles
Produces post ejaculate gel fraction
What is the function of gel fraction
Keeps sperm from another stallion from being able to swim as easily inside the mare
What is the function of the prostate gland
Produces post ejaculate that cleanses the urethra after sperm passes
What is the function of the bulbourethral glands
Produces the pre sperm fraction that cleanses the urethra prior to ejaculation
What is the relationship between teasing and seminal plasma produced by the accessory sex glands
The more you tease the more seminal plasma he produces
What is the function of the urethra
It is the common passage way of urine and semen
What is a unique management step that must be done w/ the urethra
Smegma gets collected around the urethra opening keeping from being able to urinate or ejaculate well so this is cleaned out once a year
What does cleaning a urethra more frequently than annually cause
The amount of good bacteria naturally present could decrease increasing the likelihood of infection
What is the prepuce
Base of the penis
What is the sheath
Tissue that surrounds the penis
What is the function of the sheath
Protects the penis
What is a unique management step for the sheath
Cleaning should occur once a year when the smegma is removed
What type of penis does the stallion have
Musculo cavernous meaning that it is all muscle based so it will get engorged when erected
What is the head of the penis called
Glans penis
What is the function of the penis
Ejaculate semen into the mares cervix
What is an unique aspect of the penis
It is bell shaped allowing it to lock into and stretch the cervix
What happens in the mare after ejaculation to deliver the sperm to the oviduct
The mare receives an oxytocin release contracting the uterus to deliver the sperm and if she is around the stallion for a second time and is still in estrus she will experience another oxytocin release to contract any fluid out of the uterus
What is the HPT
Hypothalamic pituitary testicular axis
What occurs w/in the HPT axis
LH and FSH trigger production of testosterone from the testis and converts estrogen into testosterone
What happens if you exogenously give testosterone
The production of testosterone actually decreases
What are the two cell types in the testis
Leydig and sertoli
Where are leydig cells
In the interstitium which is in between the tubules
What hormone affects leydig cells and what is their function
LH triggers the production of testosterone
Where are sertoli cells located
In the seminiferous tubules
What hormone affects sertoli cells and what is their function
FSH triggers spermatogenesis producing spermatoza
What hormone is produced when FSH production has hit its threshold
Inhibin
What does testosterone do
Secondary sex characteristics, sexual behavior, maintenance of spermatogenesis, and negative feedback on GnRH
What are secondary sex characteristics
Crusty neck, muscling, larger jowls, and shine on hair coat
What does estrogen do
Synthesized from testosterone by sertoli cells
What are seasonal effects in stallions
Plasma hormone concentrations is lowered, less libido, testicular size is lowered and weight, sperm production and output
How does size of the testicle change the daily sperm production
The larger the testis the larger DSP
What is daily sperm output
DSO average during breeding season is 3.35 billion range of 2.6 to 6.6 billion
What is a general practical application of sperm production
Assume DSO is 27% of number of sperm collected during 1st collection of the season
What is spermatogenesis
Production of sperm cells
Where does spermatogenesis occur
In the seminiferous tubules
How does spermatogenesis move in the seminiferous tubules
Large amounts are produced starting at the outer edge of the membrane and gradually move inwards towards the lumen
What is the blood testes barrier
Gap junctions that act as a convertor belt as a closed system moving w/ developing spermatocytes separating the basal and luminal compartments protecting the sperm
How long does it take for spermatogenesis to occur
Takes about 60 days for one sperm cell to get from bottom to top
How does heat stress affect spermatogenesis
Stops all forms of development for that time period
How long will it take a stallion to produce healthy sperm after experiencing true heat stress
2 months
What is spermatocytogenesis
What is happening near the basement membrane cell is producing daughter cells that is identical to the original cell
When during spermatogenesis does the blood testes barrier close behind cells
During meiosis
What is spermiogenesis
Sperm cells that are 1/2 of the stallions genetic material and the cytoplasm forms the droplet that falls off
Where is the DNA stored in the sperm
The nucleus that is in the head piece
Where is mitochondria located in the sperm and what is its function
It is located in the midpiece and provides the sperm with energy for swimming
What locations of defects greatly decrease achieving fertilization
Defects located in the head or midpiece
How do we want to protect when collecting and evaluating semen
Hot temps, cold temps, and UV lights
What all is evaluated w/in a semen evaluation
Visual assessment, volume, progressive motility, concentration, and morphology
What is measured during the visual assessment
Color, opacity, consistency, and contamination
What is included in the total volume
Presperm, sperm rich fraction, and gel rich fraction
Does volume equal amount of sperm cells
NO
When looking at the motility what type of samples are needed
One raw sample and one w/ extender
What are you looking for when evaluating motility of sperm
Looking for how many can get from point A to point B
How do you count sperm for motility
Multiply sets of 10
When should you evaluate the motility of raw semen
Since it is just the ejaculate you should look at it first to compare and determin if there is an issue with the stallion or the human
What is extended semen
When you mix raw semen with extender diluting sperm cells
Why do we use extended semen for percentage progressive motility
Because it is the most accurate way to represent motility do to the more dilute concentration of the sperm cells
What are two measurement tools used to measure concentration of sperm
Hemocytometer and densimeter
What is the dilution ratio for using a hemocytometer
1:100 fomalin
What are the two ways to set up a hemocytometer
Unipette and hemocytometer resupply kit
How is unipette used
A vial that has prescribed amount of formalin in the bottom and a hole is punctured in the top then a capillary tube sucks up a small amount of semen to be squeezed into the formalin
How is a hemocytometer resupply kit set up
There is a little formalin vial w/ two pipette tips a long one and a short one. The short one goes in the vial w/ semen and is shaken to mix
How do you count the sperm once it is concentrated and set up on both stages
Sperm is counted in the 4 corners and the center box then that total is multiplied by 5
How long does counting sperm on the hemocytometer take
About 20 minutes
How is the densimeter used to count sperm
You put formalin in the machine to zero it then take the red pipette tip to put sperm in the sample then mix it place it in the machine and hit count.
How accurate is the densimeter
Pretty accurate w/ 100-200 ml concentration but can be overestimated if there is a contamination in the sample
How long does the densimeter take to count sperm
About 4 mins but you can only use raw semen
How do you evaluate morphology
Mixing one drop of eosin-nigrosin stain w/ either extended or raw semen
What happens to the sperm cells when mixed w/ stain
The sperm cells that are pink were damaged or dead when the stain was applied
How do you count sperm to get a percentage of morphology
You count 100 random sperm cells and keep track of what defects they have
What is a primary defect
A defect that is the result of spermatogenesis that effects the head & midpiece
What is a secondary defect
A defect that occurs to storage or handling and involves the tail
When is percentage of morphology typically done
At the beginning of the season, spot checks if he has a good initial evaluation or if there are low pregnancy rates
What is a normal pH for sperm
7.2-7.7
When is a pH abnormally high
When there is an infection or contamination
What does a computer assisted sperm analyzer measure
Motility, concentration, morphology, and velocity
What does isperm measure
Motility, concentration, morphology, and kinetics
When are male horses bred
When they have high quality genetics or adequate promoting/competition
What are valuable genetic qualities
Conformation, performance, and genetic progress
What are two things that the industry wants us to be thinking about when breeding
Valuable genetic qualities and purpose for the foal/possible market
What are other things to consider when breeding
Economic benefit vs sentimental reasons, ability to manage pregnant mares, and ability to manage and train young foal
What is a maiden mare
A mare that has never had a foal before or has never been bred before
What is a foaling mare
Mare that is having a foal this year then cycling back and being bred again
What is a not bred mare
Had a foal before but it wasnt attempted to bred them the next year
What is an aborted “slipped” mare
Lost a foal but we often dont know when they lost the foal this is primarily for lost prior to the third trimester and is not gestationally appropriate
What is a barren mare
Had a foal before we tried to get the mare pregnant but she was not able to get pregnant
Whats the relationship between a barren mare and pregnancy rates
The longer the mare is barren the harder it is for her to get pregnant
What two types of mares have the highest pregnancy rates
Maiden mares and foaling mares
What are the two breeding methods
Natural service/live cover or AI
What are different ways to accomplish natural service or live cover breeding
Pasture breeding or hand breeding
What are different was to accomplish AI
Fresh extended semen/on site AI, cooled transport semen/cool stored/cooled semen, or frozen semen/frozen thawed semen
Describe pasture breeding
Stallion is turned out w/ one or multiple mares for a period of time. This is a hands off approach but you could track the mares cycle to determine when to turn out the stallion. Provides less opprotunity to mess things up
What is a benefit of pasture breeding
Allows for natural courting behavior
What is a stallions natural courting behavior and its hands off
Approaching from the side of the shoulder and touching the nose first then moving it to the flank, several false mounts or misplaced mounts to test if the mare is in heat, Chest bump on the flank, finally rearing up and mounting the mare
What is a sign of ejaculation in a stallion
Tail flagging because some muscles that control ejaculation pulses also control tail movement
What is the disadvantage of pasture breeding
We dont know the breeding date unless you put them in for a small amount of time
Describe hand breeding
The stallion and mare are both caught and brought together in the breeding shed involving multiple individuals and various equipment for both the mare and stallion
What are requirements for a breeding shed
Predictability, good footing, escape routes, free of distractions, and strategy for height discrepancy
How many people are necessary for hand breeding
Two
What are other personal roles involved in hand breeding
Tail man, roll man, leg man, inserter, and dismount sample collecter
What is stallion equipment that is used in hand breeding
Halter and a lead rope, lead shank, and breeding bridle
What is a leading shank for
It is a longer lead that is long enough to rear up and can be helpful for the stallion to predict when it is time for breeding
What is mare equipment that can be used when hand breeding
Halter, lead/shank, twitch, shroud, boots, and leg restraing or hobbles
What does the lip twitch do in the mare
Releases endorphins to decrease the likelihood of the mare hurting the stallion or handlers
What is a shoulder shroud
Equipment that has bite straps on the mare over the mane to protect the mare and give stallion something to hold onto
What are leg restraints
Holds the mares leg up to keep her from kicking the stallion and is released once the stallion is mounted
What are boots for
Helps the mare brace herself so she doesnt get knocked off the ground
What are breeding pads/bars used for
As a brace for the mares chest
What are mare specific requirements
Endometrial culture, CEM culture, EVA vaccination, and EHV vaccination
What is done w/ mare processing
Identification, tail wrap, perineal cleaning, lubrication, stallion identifier, teasing box, set up and restrain, and test mount
Why is the stallions penis hygiene after breeding
Rinse off w/ water in case he was contaminated with something by the mare
What is impregnation or reinforcement breeding
Take dismount sample and mix it w/ semen extender and infuse it into the uterus to increase pregnancy rates by about 12% in some stallions and mares
What other post breeding processes are done w/ hand breeding
Monitor PBE and confirm ovulation
When should breeding occur in hand breeding
12-48 hrs before ovulation
What are two methods to breed 12-48 hrs pre ovulation
Breeding every other day while in heat starting on day 3 if she comes into estrus naturally or ultrasound to determine when to breed and induce ovulation
How many times should a stallion ideally bred a mare during an estrus cycle
Once
What is doubling
When you bred a mare twice in one estrus cycle this is extremely discouraged
What are advantages of natural service or live cover
Optimizes semen quality, mare receives high sperm count, no semen processing error, cervical dilation, uterine contractions, and often less expense than AI
What are disadvantages to natural service or live cover
Need to transport mare +/- foal, stallion scheduling, potential for venereal disease transmission, less ideal for PBE mares, and low risk of injury
What are used for semen collection
Artificial vagina or condoms
What is the purpose of an artificial vagina
Mimics the feeling and temp of natural breeding and is used w/ a breeding dummy or phantom or for ground collection
What is the purpose of a condom
Goes around the penis when he has an erection and he is able to ejaculate in the mare but the ejaculation is collected
What are the three types of artifical vaginas
Missouri, Nishikawa, Colorado
What is are characteristics of Missouri AV
Allows for additional pressure to be applied but does not maintain temp very well is light and flexible
What are characteristics of Nishikawa AV
A firm metal casing that has latex liner inside that holds water between the metal and the latex has a point where the collection apparatus is attached and the penis can completely get stuck resulting in cutting off the AV
What are characteristics of the Colorado AV
Has a big PVC outer liner w/ a latex liner that folds over the PVC and a soft liner inside then is filled w/ water the latex is replaced w/ every use holds a good temp but is heavy and cant be manipuated easily
What are the steps for on site AI or fresh extended semen
Collect, evaluate, and add extender for breeding dose
What is the standard PMS dose
> 500 million PMS/mare
What is the volume range for a breeding dose
10-80 mL
What is the min extender to semen dilution
1:1 but you can always add extender
What is the window to inseminate mares after collection for on site breeding
w/ in 3 hours and it needs to slowly cool down to room temp
What are the steps of AI
Loading breeding dose into syringe, wrap/tie up tail, hygiene perineum w/ ivory soap, Inseminate, monitor PBE, and confirm ovulation
When do you want to bred w/ AI
12-48 hrs before ovulation
What are the two methods to bred a mare w/ AI prior to ovulation
Breed every other day while in heat and ultrasound to determine when to bred and induce ovulation
What are advantages of AI
Decreased risk of injury to mare and stallion, allows for breeding of size mismatched mare and stallion, semen eval more accurately accomplished, can breed multiple mares w/ 1 ejaculate, decrease risk of disease transmission, and beneficial for mares susceptible to endometritis
What are disadvantages of AI
Requires advanced knowledge and skills, semen processing, mare movement, may increase cost to mare owner due to intensity of breeding management, and more rapidly and widely propagares venereal and heritable diseases
What are the processing steps for cooled transported or cooled semen
Collect, evaluate, and add extender for breeding
Where can cooled semen be transported to
Anywhere if can be delivered w/in 24 hrs
How much PMS should be in each cooled semen breeding dose
1 billion PMS/mare
What is the volume of each cooled semen breeding dose and why
40-60 mL total volume because that is how much each shipping container is designed to carry
What is the extender:semen ratio for a cooled shipped dose
3:1 so sperm live longer
What is the sperm/mL range
25-50 million sperm/mL fluid
What happens if the semen volume is denser or looser packed
If semen is densely packed its going to increase the cooling time while if its loosely packed its going to decrease the cooling time
What is the breeding dose formula for cooled semen
M PMS/(m/mL)(PM) sum + amount of extender then * m/mL
What is the breeding dose formula for on site AI
M PMS/(m/mL)(PM)
How do you round your breeding dose w/ on site AI
Always round up
How many doses goes in each package of cooled semen
2 doses incase something happens to one syringe
What are the two ways cooled semen stays cooled when shipping
The equitaner or a disposable styrofoam container
What are timing strategies when using cooled shipped semen
Tease or ultrasound to determine start of estrus, Track w/ ultrasound to determine timing to order semen should be 24 hrs prior to desired breeding only on MWF, Induce ovulation and breed, ultrasound to confirm ovulation, and Keep in mind semen availability when short cycling
What are two things that you must keep in mind when deciding when to order semen
follicles grow 2.3-3 mm/d and Edema max 24 hrs prior to ovulation
What are advantages of using cooled shipped semen
Increase genetics available and no transportation of stallion or mare
What are disadvantages of cooled shipped semen
Short sperm longevity, semen availability constraints, and problems w/ shipments
What are the processing for frozen semen
Collect, evaluate, add extender & centrifuge, re suspend in freezing extender, package in straws, and freeze in liquid nitrogen
Is there an industry standard on frozen semen breeding doses
No
What are the typical breeding doses
Single 0.5 ml straw to eight straws but usually it is four to eight straws
What do you do w/ frozen semen breeding doses if acceptable pregnancy rate is not achieved
Increase number of PMS
Time strategies for frozen semen timing
Frozen thawed sperm survive as briefly as 6-8 hrs, oocyte lives 12 hrs, and highest pregnancy rates w/ insemination 12 hr before to 6 hr after ovulation
What is the timed protocol for frozen semen timing strategies
Induce ovulation when >35mm and edema, AI w/ thaw semen 24 hrs later, AI w/ thaw semen 24 hrs later, monitor PBE, and confirm ovulation
What does the time protocol assume
The gametes live 8 hrs and uses 2 frozen semen doses
What are the two ways to monitor ovulation w/ frozen semen
Timed protocol and induce ovulation monitor PBE every 6 hours after but uses 1 dose
What are the types of AI w/ frozen semen
Thaw frozen semen and insemination w/ either deep horse insemination at horn or deposit semen in the body
What are advantages of AI frozen semen
International shipping, breeding to deceased stallions, and semen may be shipped well in advance in breeding
What are disadvantages of AI w/ frozen semen
Semen is often expensive, semen often sold by the dose w/ no live foal gaurantee, lower pregnancy rates than by other methods even if same number of PMS inseminated, and not ideal for older maiden, barren mares, or those w/ breeding problems
What are the three things that go into successful breeding
Breeding management, mare factors, and stallion factors
What are aspects of breeding management that goes into successful breeding
Experience of breeder and veterinarian, selection of breeding method, estrus detection, and, ID and treatment of problem mares
What are mare factors that go into successful breeding
Health and breed, age (mid teens), parity, previous problems, and interval since last foaling (shorter intervals = higher preg rate)
What are stallion factors that go into successful breeding
Health and breed, age, semen processing, breeding routine, and booking
How much does reinforcement breeding increase pregnancy rates
About 12% if used >200 m sperm
What is the general rule when using frozen semen
Per cycle expect 50% of the typical pregnancy rate of the stallion to be achieved using frozen semen from the same stallion
What are the goals of assisted repro technologies
Produce offspring from deceased horses, increase number of foals from genetically valuable individuals, decrease intergenerational interval, obtain foals from mares w/ non repro and select repro health problems, and facilitate breeding of sub fertile animals
With embryo transfer what are the characteristics of the donor mare
Produces the embryo, potentially a performance mare that has an ongoing career, younger the better the outcome, and must not have reproductive issues but they can be reproductively unsound
What are the requirements for a donor mare
Must be able to ovulate, have a healthy uterine environment, and must be able to support EED
With embryo transfer what are characteristics of the recipient mare
Mare receives the embryo, optimal age 3-10yrs, has had previous foals, close to the size of the donor, and have good reproductive function
Why should the receipt mare be around the same size as the donor mare
Because the size of the uterus determines the size of the foal so if the receipt mare has a smaller uterus then the foal will have a smaller BW and will likely not live up to its genetic potential
What are the management steps for a donor mare
Routine breeding management, +/- super ovulation, and remember 50% embryos are recovered/ovulation
What are breeding steps for a recipient mare
The recipient mare should ovulate 1-2 days after the donor so either there needs to be access to a large recipient herd or 2 recipients need to be synchronized w/ the donor
When do you recovery an embryo
If you are using cryopreservation it is 6 days post ovulation if you are immediately transferring it is 7-8 days post ovulation
During embryo transfer recovery why is one arm inserted into the rectum
The embryo likes to stick to the side of the uterus so during recovery we pat the sides of the uterus
What are the two options for trans cervical transfer of the embryo
Deep horn or regular insertion into the uterus
What are the two ways to preserve an embryo
Either ship it cooled w/in 24 hrs of transfer or freeze by vitrification in liquid N
What are the outcomes of embryo transfer
On average 3 attempts yields 1 live foal, multiple ovulations increase chances, and pregnancy loss rate is 10% more than typical AI
What are other ART options
Oocyte retrieval, ICSI, cloning, sex sorted semen, and epididymal sperm
What are characteristics of oocyte retrieval
Requires an unovulated oocyte, can harvest from deceased mares, utilizes transvaginal follicular fluid aspiration, and you can use the gametes for oocyte transfer or ISCI
How does transvaginal follicular fluid aspiration work
One hand is in the rectum w/ ultrasound viewing the follicles and guiding the other hand that is in the repro tract w/ a syringe needing to poke each follicle and suck up the oocyte
What is the process of intracytoplasmic sperm (ICSI)
Inject sperm into oocyte, sperm plasma membrane is broke, oocyte zona pellucida is punctured, sperm is injected into the ooplasm, embryo cultured for growth, and transcervical transfer of about 7 day embryo
What is the overall success rate of ICSI
10%/oocyte recovered
What are the comparisons between ICSI and ET
Pregnancy rate of ICSI is 10% less than ET, Pregnancy loss is about 10% more than ET, Produces more embryos than ET, ovulations both have to be lined up, and ICSI is more successful than IVF
How are clones made
Somatic cell nuclear transfer by taking recipients egg and removing the nucleus then injecting it into donors cell
Is a clone an exact duplicate
No the mitochondrial DNA is the same but epigenetic changes do occur along w/ differences in post natal environment and training
When and who was the first born equine clone
Prometea was born in 2003
What species do we typically clone
Mules because you cant transfer the genetics any other way
Will any breed associations allow clones to register
No but multiple disciplines do not require registration and allow clones to compete
How is sex sorted sperm seperated
X and Y chromosome sperm physically separated by flow cytometry and electrically charged dye
What type of dose is sex sorted sperm
low dose of fresh or frozen insemination
What is epididymal sperm
Harvesting non ejaculated sperm for vas deferens and tail of the epididymis after testes are removed either at death or castration
What are the pregnancy rates when using epididymal sperm
30%-45%
What are the three components of a breeding soundness exam
Physical health, free from hereditary defects, and repro health
When are BSE preformed
Purchasing and not currently pregnant, before expensive ART, and history of repro problems
What are repro problems that indicate the need of an BSE
Not conceiving, repeat embryonic death, dystocia, and endometritis
How do BSEs vary w/ maidens
They are typically abbreviated to maintain the pristine uterine environment unless there are health concerns or it is an older maiden
What is the overview of the BSE process w/ a mare
General physical exam and health, external repro tract exam, rectal palpation, transrectal ultrasound, cervical examination, endometrial culture and cytology, and endometrial biopsy
What parts of the mare BSE are typically skipped unless there is a concern found during the other portions of the exam
Endometrial culture and cytology and endometrial biopsy
What is two health concerns that will keep mares from being used as broodmares
Lameness and arthritis (front legs are worse)
When does repro efficiency decrease
In their teens
What are all aspects of the mares general health BSE
Age, medications/supplements, and chronic medical conditions
What are things to look at in the repro history aspect of the mare BSE
Baren, foaling, or maiden, breeding methods, and last parity
What are hereditary defects looked at during the mares BSE
Bilateral cataracts, malocclusions, and genetic diseases
What are looked for/at during the mares external repro exam and rectal palpation
Pneumovagina, vulva alignment, and abnormal size of tract
What are looked for during the transrectal ultrasound during a mares BSE
Ovarian abnormalities such as a granulosa cell tumor and uterine abnormalities such as air in uterus, uterine fluid, and uterine cysts
What is the grade system for identifying uterine fluid
1-4, 4 being the least severe
How are uterine cysts formed
From fluid not degrading after edema is formed in the endometrium must map these at the beginning of every breeding season
When are uterine cysts a problem
When they develop in a nest affecting the embryos ability to complete MR and effects placentation
What are the two ways a cervical examination can be done during a mares BSE
Palpation is done mostly to avoid additional contamination but a speculum is used if there is trauma or scarring recognized
What is searched for during a mares cervical exam
Fibrosis, infection, urovagina, adhesions, and lacerations
What is a urovagina
Urine gets trapped in front of the cervix in a pool
When is an endometrial cytology and culture done during a mares BSE
When endometritis is observed or suspected looking for WBCs in the cytology and bacteria, fungus, or yeast in the culture
What is looked for w/ and endometrial biopsy
Endometrial fibrosis in the glands which is where the microvilli of the chorion develop
What does a biopsy look like when endometrial fibrosis is present
There are large areas where there are no glands present
What is the grade system for endometrial fibrosis
1-3, 3 being the most severe
When is a stallion BSE preformed
Prepurchase, prior to stud career, onset of breeding season, and subfertility
What are the reasons for a subfertility BSE
ID causes and mgmt to optimize fertility
What is the goal of stallion BSE
Selection of high quality breeding stock in terms of repro efficiency however results are suggestive of the stallions fertility only on the day of the exam and the conditions the test was preformed w/
What are the standards for stallions
To be able to bred 40 mares natural cover or 120 by AI at a 75% seasonal preg rate
What is the overview of a stallion BSE
General physical exam and history, evaluation of teasing behavior, exam of external genitalia, microbial cultures, evaluation of breeding behavior, 1st semen collection and eval, exam of scrotal contents, ultrasound of internal aspects, 2nd semen collection and eval, and additional diagnostics as desired
What are looked at in terms of general health during a stallion BSE
Age, chronic medical conditions, meds/supplements, and housing/work
What repro history is looked at during a stallion BSE
Breeding methods, handling routine, frequency of breeding, types of mares bred, and breeding success
What hereditary defects are looked at in a stallion BSE
Bilateral cataracts, malocclusions, cryptorchidism, and genetic disorders
What are dominant genetic diseases
HYPP, PSSM1, MYHM, and MH
What are recessive genetic disorders
GBED, HERDA, and OLWS
What are looked at when evaluating the teasing behavior of a stallion
Time to erection (<2 min), handleability, juvenile behavior (pay close attention to mare but forget about the handler), and libido
What is looked for when examining the stallions external genitalia
Need to see the penis erected to evaluate for swollen sheath, carcinomas, blood in the urethra, and blisters
Where are microbial cultures collected and when are they collected
Urethra, urethral fossa, urethral sinus, penile shaft and prepuce swabs are taken prior and after collection
What goes into evaluating breeding behavior
TIme to erect, mounting coordination, coupling/thrusting, ejaculation, and dismount
What is the goal for the first semen collection and eval
> 1 billion PM morphologically normal sperm
What is per cycle pregnancy rate correlated w/
% PM sperm, total number of PM sperm, % MN sperm, and total number MN sperm
What is looked at and identified during the examination of the scrotal contents
Testis, epididymis, spermatic cord, and skin are looked at we identify cryptorchid and measure the scrotum
How can you measure the scrotum
Via ultrasound or calibers
What is looked at internally w/ an ultrasound during a stallion BSE
Accessory sex glands, internal inguinal rings, and terminal aorta
When is the 2nd semen collection done and what is the goal for the semen
1 hr after 1st collection and the goal is also >1 billion PMMN but will be harder to achieve
What are additional diagnostics that are done as desired w/ stallions
Semen can be tested for EVA, have a chromatin analysis done, and an electron microscopy, a contagious equine metritis culture, and endoscopy
What are the interpretation categories for stallions based on BSE findings
Satisfactory prospective breeder, specifically qualified satisfactory prospective breeder, unsatisfactory prospective breeder, and classification deferred
What qualifies a stallion for specifically qualified satisfactory prospective breeder
Does not meet spermiogram criteria for 40 mares w/ natural service or 120 mares by AI but acceptable preg rates can be achieved under certain management conditions
What qualifies a stallion for unsatisfactory prospective breeder
Fails to produce at least 1 billion PMMN sperm in each of two ejaculates AND either suffers from a heritable defect, fails to demenstrate normal breeding behavior that will not improve w/ training, has an infection in the repro tract that is unlikely to get cured, does not posses two normal testes and epididymides, or has a scrotal width of less than 9 cm
What qualifies a stallion for classification deferred
Used when it is believed that sperm quality will improve over 60 days
How do you get the stallion at DSO prior to evaluation
Collect the stallion BID for 5 days
What is the best measure of a stallions fertility
Foaling rate
