BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAMINATION

(Andrological Examination)
Evaluation Method of Males for Fertility

Iman Supriatna

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

IPB University
IPB Darmaga Campus, Bogor
INDONESIA

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Methods of Mating
1) Hand mating, Methods of Mating
2) Pasture mating,
3) Artificial insemination.

Hand mating : a bull is kept separate from the

cow herd, and whenever a cow is observed to be
experiencing heat she is turned into the isolated
area with the bull, and is kept there until the
heifer has been served. The heifer is immediately
removed from the pin after service, to allow other
heifers to be served when they experience heat
as well.
Pasture mating : the bull is allowed to stay with
the breeding herd throughout the breeding
season.
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 Methods of Mating Cont.
In pasture mating, bulls wear themselves out
by repeatedly serving a cow while she
remains in heat. With this method, a cow is
sometimes served six or more times by
several bulls, and often a cow that is in heat
the next day might not be served because of
the exhaustion of the bulls from the excessive
activity prior.
Pasture and hand mating techniques are most
commonly used on beef farms, because
beef cows run together day after day and are
much less inclined to ride one another. are
expected and charted to better assess when a diary cattle can be
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 BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAMINATION
(BSE)

 The concept of BSE was developed by members of

the Society for Theriogenology
 BSE is the practitioner’s considered judgment as to
whether or not a bull possesses those traits that
have been found common to other bulls that have
achieved satisfactory conception rates in
reproductively normal and eligible cows
 BSE attempt to measure the bull’s potential to cause
conception
(Randall 1986)

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 Bull to Cow ratio evaluation:
 1:10 to 1:60

Pregnancy evaluation:
 60 – 100%

(Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS

College of Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M University)

3-4 bulls per 100 cows

(Lindsay et al. 1982)
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High breeding ratio
 1:40 to 1:60

High conception rate

 Greater than 90%

(Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS

College of Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M Univ.)

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 The fertility of male is related to
several phenomena:

Sperm production
Viability and fertilizing capacity of
the ejaculated sperm
Sexual desire
The ability to mate

(Jainudeen and Hafez 1987)

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PROTOCOL FOR
BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAMINATION
Infertility/Sterility Diagnostic
General physical examination (a detailed medical &
hereditary history of the bull)
Reproductive organs examination
(thorough examination of both internal and external
portion of the reproductive system)
A scrotal circumference measurement
Serving capacity evaluation (libido and mating ability)

Collection and evaluation of a semen sample

Microbiologic/parasitic examination
(Spitzer 2000, Grove 1975)

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 Detailed Medical History
Basic information includes:
− ID number, age, breed, weight

− Vaccination program

− Previous medical treatments and injection stress

− Dates of health information, particularly within

the last 6-10 weeks

− Thermal and mechanical condition, i.e., fever, a

retained testicle, hernia, high ambient

temperature (> 3weeks), etc.
(Pinyopummintr 2003)
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 Detailed Medical History
Additional information:
• Nutrition management (type of ratio, amount,

supplementation, etc)
• Animal re-location, particularly the last 60 days

• Mating history, i.e. frequency of use, no. of cows to serve,

conception rate, calf performance, etc.

• Mating behavior, i.e. signs of pain during breeding,

abnormalities of penis function (erection, protrusion,

corkscrew or rainbowing of the penis)

(Pinyopummintr 2003)
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Profil ejakulat sapi pada pertumbuhan mulai pubertas sampai sexual maturity
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 Effects of heat stress on a bull (Randall 1986)
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 Hereditary health examination

− Pedigree
free of negative hereditary gene that
can be heritage from his parent (sire
and dam)
− Phenotype
heredity abnormalities : long hair,
short jaw, lordosis, hyaena, sickle hock
(Grove 1975)

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 General physical
examination:
 injury
 lameness

 illness

 conformation abnormalities

 penile abnormalities

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 General Physical Examination
Some of the main points:
• The body condition score

(back fat measurement at rib 12)

• The eyes

• Teeth (confirmation of age), mouth, jaw,

and neck (for abscess and other lesions)

• Skin diseases, i.e. warts, ring worms, etc.

(Pinyopummintr 2003)
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 General Physical Examination

Some of the main points:

 Locomotor system and movement, particularly

hind limbs, i.e. swollen of joint(s), growths,

footrot or hoof cracks, etc.
 Conformation defects, i.e., sickle hock, cow

hock, post-leggedness, crooked legs and feet,

sprayed toes, etc.
(Pinyopummintr 2003)

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 Desirable
conformation of the
rear legs as seen from
the side
(Morrow 1986)

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 Desirable
conformation
of hind legs as
seen from the
rear
(Morrow 1986)

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 Sickle hock
conformation.
This fault can
lead to swollen
hocks and
lameness

(Morrow 1986)

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 Toed-out stance
(base wide. This
fault is usually
seen in
conjunction with
the sickle hock
conformation

(Morrow 1986)
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 Reproductive organ examination
Palpation of external reproductive organ
Testis and Scrotum
a) Tunica dartos and tunica vaginalis
b) Testis
Epididymis (caput, corpus, cauda epididymis and
ligamentum Inguinalis testis)
Funiculus spermaticus
The prepuce
The penis

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The Scrotum Shapes

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The Normal Scrotum

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Testicle Tumor

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 Normospermia and Azoospermia

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 Correct method for measurement of scrotal circumference
(Morrow 1986)
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 Volume and Scrotumcircumference
Bos taurus (FH)
Age Circumference Volume
(year) (cm) (ml)
<1 > 32,5 >1,35
1-1,5 > 34,5 >1,6
1,5-2 > 36,0 > 1,75
2-3 >37,5 >1,95
>3 > 39,0 > 2,0
Testicles shape: oval, vertical, symmetric
(Grove 1975)
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 Reference tables for evaluation of
scrotal circumference and spermiogram
The Society for Theriogenology, SFT (1992)
(The Scrotal Circumference Measurement)

Minimum Recommended
Scrotal Circumference Age (cm)
< 15 months (12-14 months) 30
> 15 < 18 months 31
> 18 < 21 months 32
> 21 < 24 months 33
> 24 months 34

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Relationship between body weight and scrotal circumference of beef bulls
(Arthur et al. 1996)
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 Average values and estimated minimum values for
scrotal circumference in mature bulls

Approx. age Mean * Estimated

Breed to reach circumference minimum
mature size circumference in
(mo) (cm) normal bulls (cm)
Ongole 24 26 23

Grati 30 35 30

* Bulls with circumference less than this are likely to produce small
quantities of semen (Lindsay et al. 1982).
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 Fingers position at testes palpation

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Palpation on the right testes

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 Palpation at the tail of right epididymis

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 Examination of the Penis and the Prepuce
(by penis exposure)

1) Electric application per rectal palpation

(not for surgery)
2) Tranquilizer application (Rompun, Combelen)
3) Epidural anesthetic
4) Anesthetic of N. pudendalis, Mm. retractor penis or
N. dorsalis penis

(No. 2, 3, and 4 could be used for surgery)

- venereal disease treatment
- penis papilloma
- haematom and rupture of the penis
(Grove 1975)
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Anaesthesia techniques for penis exposure

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Desirable conformation prepuce (in Bos Indicus) (Morrow 1986)

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A very pendulous development of the prepuce, which predisposes to
preputial lesions (in Bos indicus) (Morrow 1986)

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Eversion of the prepuce is found in all polled bulls and bulls of Bos
indicus breeds (Morrow 1986)
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A persisten penile frenulum results from an abnormal development of
the penis and sheath and prevent service (Morrow 1986)

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 Internal reproductive organ
examination

Palpation of intra genital organ

(Via rectal palpation)
Accessory gland:
- The ampulla
- The seminal vesicles
- The prostate (corpus, pars disseminata)
- The bulbo-urethral gland (Cowper gland)
Prostate pars disseminata & Cowper gland pada palpasi per rektal
tidak teraba
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 Bovine Accessory Gland

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 Anatomy of the male reproductive organ

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 Serving capacity evaluation
(libido and mating ability)

Libido in bulls has been defined as

the willingness and eagerness to
mount and attempt service, with
mating ability described as the
ability to complete service.

(Chenoweth 1986)

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 Libido Scoring System
0 = Bull showed no sexual interest
1 = Sexual interest shown only once (e.g. sniffing at
perineal region
2 = Positive sexual interest in female on more than
one occasion
3 = Active pursuit of female with persistent sexual interest
4 = One mount or mounting attempt with no service
5 = Two mounts or mounting attempts, with no service
6 = More than two mounts or mounting attempts with no
service
7 = One service followed by no further sexual interest
8 = One service followed by sexual interest, including mounts
or mounting attempts
9= Two services followed by no further sexual interest
10= Two services followed by sexual interest, including
mounts, mounting attempts or further services
(Chenoweth 1986)
 Mating Ability Scoring System
Group 1 = Bulls that served satisfactorily
Group 2 = Bulls that made mounting attempts that
did not culminate in service because of
inexperience, faulty mating technique or
pathologic factors
Group 3 = Bulls that mounted but did not achieve
service owing to lack of cooperation by the female
Group 4 = Bulls for which there was no record or
mating ability because of lack of sufficient
activity for an assessment to be made
(Chenoweth 1986)
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 Serving Capacity Evaluation
Libido measurement; maximal time reaction of
male in exposure to non estrous/estrous
restrained cow as the stimulus
Bull : 15-20 minutes
Stallion : 60-90 minutes
Ram : 15-20 minutes
Buck : 15-20 minutes
Boar : 30-60 minutes
Dog : 60-180 minutes
(Grove 1975)

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 Moderate to high libido and serving capacity:

 genetically influenced

 unrelated to semen quality and masculinity

 1 or more services in 1 cow in 10 to 15

minutes

 3 or more services in 4 cows in 40 minutes

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 Serving capacity evaluation
(libido and mating ability)

Potential Coendi (sexual

temperament observation)
- Sexual partner (or dummy)
- Artificial vagina
(Grove 1975)
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 Semen quality evaluation

Potential Generandi Identification by means

semen evaluation
- Macroscopic (Volume, color, odor, viscosity, pH)
- Microscopic (Motility, concentration, viability,
morphology)

(Grove 1975)

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 Reference tables for evaluation of
scrotal circumference and spermiogram
The Society for Theriogenology, SFT (1992)
Sperm Motility
Mass Activity Rating Individual
(Gross)
Rapid Swirling Very Good (VG) > 70%
Slow Swirling Good (G) 50-69%
Generalized Fair (F) 30-49%
Oscillation
Sporadic Poor (P) < 30%
Oscillation
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Minimum recommended motility: 30% or Fair
 Sperm Morphology
Primary sperm abnormalities:
− Underdeveloped
− Double forms
− Acrosome defect (e.g., knobbed acrosome)
− Narrow heads
− Crater/diadem defect
− Pear-shaped defect
− Abnormal contour
− Small abnormal heads
− Free abnormal heads
− Abnormal midpiece
− Proximal droplet
− Strongly fold or coiled tail
− Accessory tails

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 Sperm Morphology
Secondary sperm abnormalities:
− Small normal head

− Giant and short broad heads

− Free normal heads

− Detached, folded, loose acrosomal

membrane
− Abaxial implantation

− Distal droplet

− Simple bent tail

− Terminaly coiled tail

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 Sperm Morphology

Other cells:
− Epithelial cells
− Erythrocytes
− Medusa formations
− Sperm precursor cells
− Round cells
− White blood cells

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 Reference tables for evaluation of
scrotal circumference and spermiogram
The Society for Theriogenology, SFT (1992)
Sperm Morphology

Minimum recommended sperm morphology:

70 % normal cells
(Bath and Oko 1989, The Society for Theriogenology 1992)

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 Impotentia Coendi
 Impotentia erectionis (cause hormonal)
 Impotentia ejaculationis (cause hypoplasia
testis/ infantilismus)
 Impotentia psychica (cause
environment/farm condition)
 Impotentia locomotorica (causa locomotor
system and movement, footrot, panaritium,
arthritis particularly hind limbs)

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 Impotentia Generandi
(generare: production, generate)
 Orchitis
 Epididymitis
 Vesiculitis spermatica
 Prostitis
 Nekrospermia
 Aspermia (causa hypoplasia testes)
 Atrophia
 Spermatocoele

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 Semen Analysis Nomenclature
Parameter Evaluation Nomenclature
Criterion
None Aspermia
Volume Reduced Hypospermia
Increased Hyperspermia
Zero Azoospermia
Sperm Reduced Oligozoospermia
Concentration Normal Normozoospermia
Increased Polyzoospermia
Sperm Motility Decreased Asthenozoospermia
Sperm Viability All dead Necrozoospermia
Abnormal
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 Microbiologic/parasitic
examination
Semen sample
Minimal 2,0 ml fresh semen (in closed tube)
Bacteriologic/serologic identification:
 Vibrio, Trichomonas, Brucella & Ab anti Brucella

 Mycobacterium tuberculosis & paratuberculosis

 Mycoplasma

(Grove 1975)

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 Microbiologic/parasitic examination

Preputium sample
HANKS medium 200 ml,
Trichomonas fetus
Vibrio fetus (Campylobacter fetus)
Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR)
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD)
(Grove 1975)

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 Microbiologic/parasitic examination

Blood Sample
V. jugularis, V. auricularis magna, V. coccygea
1) Serologic examination (antibody identification)
- Brucella abortus
- Brucella ovis
- Anaplasma sp.
- Salmonella sp.
- Leptospira pomona
- IBR/IPV/IPB
2) Bacteriologic examination

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 Diagnose and Evaluation

General health (including hereditary health)

Fertility (potentia coendi & -generandi)
Free of infectious disease

(Grove 1975)

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 Classification of Bulls

The Society for Theriogenology (1992):

Approved guideline for BSE classification of bulls as:

- Satisfactory Potential Breeder

- Unsatisfactory Potential Breeder
- Classification Deferred
(Spitzer 2000)

Questionable potential breeder (Morrow 1986)

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 Interpretation of Results (Spitzer 2000)

Satisfactory Potential Breeder- bulls achieving the

minimum threshold values for scrotal circumference,
sperm motility and sperm morphology. These bulls
must also be free of genetic, skeletal, infectious or
other problems or injuries which might compromise
fertility in natural mating situations
Unsatisfactory Potential Breeder- bulls which fail to
meet minimum threshold values in any category and
which have poor prognosis for improvement
Classification Deferred- bulls which cannot currently be
rated satisfactory but are likely to improve with time
or therapy.
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