Читать книгу Bovine Reproduction - Группа авторов - Страница 120

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.