of the profound influence of breed and age on SC, providing veterinarians with information to tailor recommendations to clients with different breeds. The WCABP system sets the SC threshold for each breed and age as one standard deviation below the mean [17], which means that 16% of bulls with the smallest SC may be culled. Both systems classify bulls as having either satisfactory or unsatisfactory SC scores, but do not further categorize satisfactory bulls to allow positive selection pressure based on SC.
For sperm motility and sperm morphology, the SFT system categorizes bulls as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory, while the WCABP system adds another category called questionable for bulls whose values are slightly below the set threshold. As a result, in the WCABP system there are four possible overall classifications for bulls, ranging from satisfactory, questionable, decision deferred, or unsatisfactory breeders. The decision deferred classification is used for bulls that are expected to show a substantial improvement in semen quality before the breeding season, thereby warranting a re‐evaluation within several weeks [18].
The UK
The use of BBSE procedures in the UK is a relatively recent development, with the use of formal reporting and certificates commencing in 2009 [19]. Oversight of the standards is provided by the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) and in general they follow the SFT guidelines, with some influence from the ACV and South African systems. An important distinction with the UK system is that in contrast to other systems that call the process a Breeding Soundness Evaluation, the BCVA considers it more prudent to describe the process as a Pre‐Breeding Examination (PBE) [20]. Removal of the word “soundness” presumably reduces legal liabilities within the UK. Like the South African system described later in this chapter, the UK PBE certificates are provided in carbon‐copy pads with assessment standards detailed on the reverse of the form. The certificates provide options for selecting one of three reasons for performing the examination, either pre‐sale, pre‐breeding, or insurance. The main categories assessed are divided into: Physical examination; Semen examination; and Assessment of mating ability. As with other systems, the bull can receive a classification without the mating ability test being performed. Similar to the South African system, the UK PBE certificate requires the bull to be classified as either Suitable or Unsuitable for Breeding. Within the Suitable for Breeding category, the veterinarian identifies whether an assessment of mating ability was performed or whether the classification was based solely on the physical and semen evaluations. While there is no opportunity to place bulls in a “questionable” or “deferred” category, the system encourages the use of the comments section to provide further information and prognoses for bulls not meeting the standards.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, BBSE procedures closely follow those described by the SFT [21]. The reason for mentioning the BBSE procedures used in this region is to highlight the emphasis placed on consistently diluting semen in order to gain an accurate individual motility assessment. Bulls can fail a BBSE based on a poor individual motility assessment, and poor semen handling or an inability to clearly visualize individual sperm can adversely affect the result. In the Netherlands, a routine 1 : 80 dilution of semen with physiological saline warmed to 37 °C prior to individual motility assessment is described. In the absence of direct concentration estimates, such a process will result in diluted concentrations of 2.5 × 106 to 13 × 106 cells/ml in the assessment sample. Concentrations such as this allow clear visualization of individual spermatozoa. This process is relatively easily performed in the field by adding 790 μl of warmed saline or PBS to 10 μl of semen.
South Africa
The Livestock Health and Production Group of the South African Veterinary Association took the initiative to standardize BBSE within South Africa [22]. As was the case in other regions, this group recognized that advances in knowledge in BBSE had led to variation in what services were being offered by veterinarians. Such variation was identified as a source of dissatisfaction to clients and practitioners, with both groups experiencing inconsistency in the costs and outcomes of bull examinations [22]. This group proceeded to produce a paper‐based recording and reporting system for BBSE utilizing evidence‐based standards for the selected parameters.
In this system, the veterinarian, in consultation with the client, has the option of selecting the purpose of the examination as either:
1 A natural service sire for sale or owner use
2 A donor of semen for sale
3 An examination for insurance purposes.
There are compulsory aspects of the testing, which include:
1 A general clinical examination
2 Physical examination of the genital system
3 Semen collection and evaluation
Other procedures such as disease testing are optional and depend on conversations between the veterinarian, the client, or the insurance company.
The certificate record (Figure 7.5) provides a list of the recommended examinations and tests for the bull. The veterinarian is required to circle on the certificate which testing was performed and to circle the purpose for which it was performed as noted in items A, B, or C above. Certificates are available in book form, with a carbon copy, which remains in the book. The reverse of the form (Figure 7.6) provides the standards for each parameter and explanatory notes, similar to the Australian system.
Figure 7.5 The standard veterinary BBSE certificate used in South Africa.
Figure 7.6 Explanatory notes accompanying the South African BBSE certificate.
A unique aspect of the South African system is that certificates are only issued if the bull meets the BBSE standards and is classified as breeding sound. Other than the provision of space for some qualifying comments, there is no facility on the certificate to classify the bull any other way. Therefore bulls are effectively classified as suitable or unsuitable for breeding. Accordingly, the first component of the certificate is a declaration by the veterinarian that the bull complies with the minimum standards set for BBSE examinations for the selected purpose.
Another unique aspect of this system is that no actual parameters are indicated on the document. The reasoning for this is that the evaluation is designed to provide a yes/no answer to whether the bull is “Breeding Sound” at the time of evaluation. The system acknowledges the risk of artifact affecting the result for many of the parameters when different veterinarians assess bulls in varied field situations. Removing quantitative data from the form is seen as a method of removing inappropriate comparisons between bulls. Therefore if a bull meets or exceeds the parameter standards, the actual number is considered irrelevant. This paradigm contrasts with other systems that aim to both answer the “Breeding Sound” question and provide quantitative data in a way that might assist with genetic selection for improved fertility.
While there is no suggestion of an accreditation process for South African veterinarians
