Bull/Ram Breeding Soundness Exam

Why is it important?

• Maintain a tight calving pattern

• Reproductive efficiency

• Profitability

The aim of the exam is to identify individual infertile or sub fertile bulls/rams in advance of the breeding season so that appropriate action can be taken.

• A fully fertile stock bull should achieve a 90% pregnancy rate after 9 weeks when running with 50 normal cycling cows.

• A mature ram should achieve 85% pregnancy rate in first cycle when running with 60 normal cycling ewes.

What does it involve?

1.      History and Health status

2.      Physical Exam

a.      External exam: age, BCS, conformation, locomotion, presence of any infectious or contagious disease

b.     Hands on exam: eyes, teeth, feet and reproductive apparatus

c.      Testes will be measured and palpated

d.     Internal examination will be carried out to palpate the accessory reproductive apparatus and ensure normality

3.      Semen collection and examination

a.      Ejaculate volume and density

b.     Viewed under the microscope to assess motility and morphology.

c.      We use electroejaculation: a few animals will fail to respond to this method.

4.      Libido and serving assessment

a.      Watching behaviour whilst working allows an assessment of libido and his ability to serve

Why could they fail?

• Infections : BVD, Leptospirosis, bacterial

• Penile damage

• Testicular damage