Male infertility and breeding soundness exam Flashcards
List 6 things to look at when performing clinical exam when investigating male infertility
observe from distance- lameness, posture demeanour
TPR and BCS
Teeth to check age/alignment
check eyes for cataeacts
brisket- check for sores
legs - check range of motion
why are bulls/rams with BCS of 2 or less deemed unsatisfactory
they are unlikely to perform adequately during intensive breeding
why are bulls/rams with a BCS of over 4 deemed unsatisfactory for breeding
they may suffer poor semen quality due to the deposition of fat in the scrotum leading to thermo-regulation problems
why are post-legged bulls/rams not good for breeding
increased risk of lameness due to hock, stifle or hip joint pathology
what are puffy hocks
swollen hocks due to excessive synovial fluid
why should bulls/rams with puffy hocks be avoided
distension of the hock joint may be caused by osteochondrosis which can progress to lameness
do feet and leg abnormalities affect semen quality
no but they may affect libido
describe the normal scrotal shape
straight sided
normal (pendulous)
wedge-shaped
why might the testes not move easily within the scrotum
adhesions due to previous infections or inflammation may be present
what is orchitis
inflammation of the testes
what disease could cause orchitis as a primary symptom
brucella ovis
why is scrotal circumference important
it is highly correlatedto paired testes weight, daily sperm production and semen quality
what can cause scrotal dermatitis in rams
chorioptic mange
what can cause a congenital scrotal hypoplasia
abnormality of blood supply
(belgian blue bulls)
what is normal scrotal circumference in rams
> 33cm
or
30cm for ram lambs
what can cause hard and small testicles
post-traumatic scarring or fibrosis/calcification with age
what can cause soft testicles
tubular atrophy
what can cause enlarged testicles
neoplasia
what is spermatocoele
Sperm-filled cyst near the head of the epididymis
Usually asymptomatic
how can we examine the accessory sex glands
via digital or rectal exam
via ultrasound
List 4 viral causes of male infertility in cattle
IBR
BVD
EBL
bluetongue
List 7 bacterial causes of male inferility in cattle
campylobacter,
brucella
TB
lepto
Johnes
mycoplasma
ureaplasma
List 2 viral causes of male infertility in sheep
bluetongue and possibly schmallenberg
List 4 bacterial causes of male infertility in sheep
brucella ovis
possibly Johnes
mycoplasma
ureaplasma
how can we collect semen in ruminants
Artificial vagina
electro-ejaculation
how can we collect semen in stallions
Artificial vagina
how can we collect semen in boars
Artificial vagina
digital manipulation
electro-ejaculation
why is electro-ejaculation semen collection not considered standard
it is painful and should only be used when absolutely necessary
what is normal semen colour
white- yellow
what can green semen indicate
pseudomonas aeruginosa
how can we assess gross motility of semen
assessed by placing 5-10mm drop of fresh semen on a clean warmed slide and examining under low power
minimum progressive motility to pass a semen examination
60%
List the 3 things that gross motility depends on
concentration
% progressively motile sperm
speed of progression of sperm
what percentage of sperm should be morphologically normal
over 70%
what stain is used on semen smears
eosin-nigrosin
what are proximal cytoplasmic droplets a sign of
disturbed epididymal or testicular function
what can high number of sperm with detached heads indicate
can indicate sperm has accumulated in the epididymis
if they don’t clear after a few ejaculates, it can indicate an underlying cause - i.e. stress or abnormal thermoregulation
what can cause distal midpiece reflex / bent tails
can be from in proper sperm handling or can be due to inappropriate sperm maturation
what can cause severely coiled tails - Dag defect
due to disturbances of spermatogenesis
or can be from a genetic cause
what can cause distal cytoplasmic droplets
can indicate an abnormality of seminal fluids or ejaculation
what can cause nuclear vacuoles
heat stress
what can high levels of epithelial cells in semen indicate
inflammation of the accessory sex glands or urethra
what can white blood cells or bacteria in semen indicate
contamination or evidence of infection/ inflammation
what can spheroids in semen indicate
testicular pathology such as degeneration or hypoplasia
what are spheroids
spermatogenic epithelial cells that have been shed from the seminiferous tubules
How do we AI in cows
trans-cervical catheterisation
How do we AI in sheep
laproscopic intra-uterine insemination
