varied managerial contexts.
Consideration to moving away from a “Pass/Fail” concept to a risk assessment paradigm.
The provision of more robust guidelines and abnormality scales for interpreting some of the findings.
Consideration of increasing the opportunities for veterinarians to gain and maintain competence in the processes, which may or may not include an accreditation program.
Consideration of a quality assurance program for morphology assessment that may, in part, include all veterinarians and morphologists registered with respective regulatory bodies receiving QA samples for evaluation on a regular basis.
References
1 1 Swanson, E. and Herman, H. (1941). Variations in bull semen and their relation to fertility. J. Dairy Sci. 24: 321–331.
2 2 Williams, W. (1909). Veterinary Obstetrics, Including Diseases of Breeding Animals and of the New‐Born. Ithaca, NY: Williams, W.L.
3 3 Williams, W. and Savage, A. (1925). Observations upon the seminal micropathology of bulls. Cornell Vet. XV: 353–375.
4 4 Lagerlof, N. (1936). Sterility in bulls. Vet. Rec. 48: 1159–1170.
5 5 Ball, L., Ott, R., Mortimer, R., and Simons, J. (1983). Manual for the breeding soundness examination of bulls. Theriogenology 12: 1–65.
6 6 Fordyce, G., Entwistle, K., Norman, S. et al. (2006). Standardising bull breeding soundness evaluations and reporting in Australia. Theriogenology 66: 1140–1148.
7 7 Carroll, E., Ball, L., and Scott, J. (1963). Breeding soundness in bulls – a summary of 10,940 examinations. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 142: 1105–1111.
8 8 Chenoweth, P., Hopkins, F., Spitzer, J., and Larsen, R. (2010). Guidelines for using the bull breeding soundness evaluation form. Clin. Ther. 2: 43–50.
9 9 Hopkins, S. (1997). The new Society for Theriogenology breeding soundness evaluation system. Vet. Clin. North Am. Food Anim. Pract.: 283–293.
10 10 Koziol, J. and Armstrong, C. (2018). Society for Theriogenology Manual for Breeding Soundness Examination of Bulls, 2e. Pike Road, AL: Society for Theriogenology.
11 11 Chenoweth, P. (2002). Objectives and outcomes from selection and management of fertile bulls. In: Bull Fertility: Selection and Management in Australia (ed. G. Fordyce), 1–7. Canberra: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
12 12 Norman, S. (2007). Bull breeding soundness accreditation scheme. Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Annual Conference. Canberra: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
13 13 Fordyce, G. (2002). Bull Fertility: Selection and Management in Australia. Canberra: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
14 14 Entwistle, K. and Fordyce, G. (2003). Evaluating and Reporting Bull Fertility. Canberra: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
15 15 Norman, S., Fordyce, G., and Fordyce, P. (2004). Bull reporter – the development of a computerised system for the standardised recording and reporting of bull breeding soundness evaluation and semen morphology data. Canberra: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
16 16 Garcia‐Paloma, J. (2015). A bull breeding soundness evaluation system with greater emphasis on scrotal circumference. Pesqui. Vet. Bras. 35: 817–821.
17 17 Coulter, G., Mapletoft, R., Kozub, G., and Cates, W. (1987). Scrotal circumference of two year old bulls of several beef breeds. Theriogenology 27: 485–491.
18 18 Waldner, C., Kennedy, R., and Palmer, C. (2010). A description of the findings from bull breeding soundness evaluations and their association with pregnancy outcomes in a study of western Canadian beef herds. Theriogenology 74: 871–883.
19 19 Penny, C. (2009). The development of a UK bull breeding soundness evaluation certificate. ID – 20093092681. Cattle Pract. 17: 64–70.
20 20 Penny, C. (2010). The BCVA's bull pre‐breeding examination certificate. Vet. Rec. 167: 551.
21 21 Hoflack, G., Van Soom, A., Maes, D. et al. (2006). Breeding soundness and libido examination of Belgian Blue and Holstein Friesian artificial insemination bulls in Belgium and the Netherlands. Theriogenology 66: 207–216.
22 22 Irons, P., Nothling, J., and Bertschinger, H. (2007). Bull breeding soundness evaluation in Southern Africa. Theriogenology 68: 842–847.
23 23 Beggs D. Veterinary Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation, 2, 2013. Canberra: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
24 24 Chacon, J., Perez, E., Muller, E. et al. (1999). Breeding soundness evaluation of extensively managed bulls in Costa Rica. Theriogenology 52 (2): 221–231.
25 25 Holroyd, R., Bertram, J., Burns, B. et al. (2000). Bull Selection and Use in Northern Australia. Brisbane: DPI Queensland.
26 26 Rabelo, R., Da Silva, L., Brito, L. et al. (2008). Epidemiological aspects of surgical diseases of the genital tract in a popultion of 12,320 breeding bulls (1982–2007) in the state of Goias, Brazil. Ci. Anim. Bras. 9: 705–713.
27 27 McGowan, M. and Bertram, J. (2018). Scoring systems for the assessment of the sheath and hooves of bulls. Australian Cattle Veterinarians Conference. Barton. Canberra: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
8 Evaluation of Breeding Soundness: The Physical Examination
Mike Thompson1 and James Alexander2
1 Willow Bend Animal Clinic, Holly Springs, MS, USA
2 Alexander Veterinary Services, Bentonia, MS, USA
Introduction
When a bull breeding soundness examination (BBSE) is performed for the purpose of evaluating a bull's potential to breed in a natural service situation, the physical component takes on paramount significance. In fact, as soon as any physical abnormality that would impede natural service is observed, or the bull does not meet the minimum standards for scrotal circumference (SC), the examination need not proceed to evaluation of semen characteristics. Thus, goals of the physical examination portion of a BBSE are the identification of undesirable genetic traits, structural or physical impediments to breeding, and pathology of the reproductive tract. Even though it is common for inadequacies to exist in this area of the BBSE, it is often ignored or rushed through without attention to detail or in a consistent systematic manner. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the physical examination be done using a consistent protocol. Additionally, the SC, which is an indirect metric for testicle size and thus sperm production potential, must be measured and meet minimum standards.
History
The history can be addressed prior to or during the physical examination. The history can provide the examiner with insight into genetics, condition, management, vaccination, any disease testing programs, and history of disease in the herd. The breed or breed composition should be obtained to help establish what genetic abnormalities or which conformation traits, maturity rates, and age of puberty may be common to that breed. The ration fed previously and at present should be established as well as the level of each ingredient
