Male Breeding Soundness Evaluation
Classification | Unsatisfactory | Questionable | Satisfactory | Exceptional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Body condition score (1–5) | Subjective | 1–2 or 5 (under- or overconditioned) | 3–4 | N/A |
Scrotal circumference (8–14 mo) | Subjective | < 30 cm | 30–36 cm | > 36 cm |
Scrotal circumference (> 14 mo) | Subjective | < 32 cm | 32–40 cm | > 40 cm |
Progressive sperm motility (individual) | < 10% | 10–30% | 31–70% | > 70% |
Normal sperm morphologya | < 30% | 30–50% | 51–80% | > 80% |
Modified from Bulgin MS. Ram breeding soundness examination and SFT form. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Theriogenology; 1992:210-215. | ||||
a Morphology should be identified using phase contrast on formalin-fixed wet mount under oil immersion or using prewarmed eosin-nigrosin stain under light microscopy under oil immersion. The presence of more than five WBCs per high-powered field should result in deeming in the semen "questionable." Serological testing for Brucella ovis should be considered a routine part of a breeding soundness examination, and animals with positive test results should be culled. Rams suspected of B ovis infections should be retested in 30–60 days and considered questionable until those results are obtained. | ||||