Male infertility and breeding soundness exam Flashcards

1
Q

List 6 things to look at when performing clinical exam when investigating male infertility

A

observe from distance- lameness, posture demeanour
TPR and BCS
Teeth to check age/alignment
check eyes for cataeacts
brisket- check for sores
legs - check range of motion

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2
Q

why are bulls/rams with BCS of 2 or less deemed unsatisfactory

A

they are unlikely to perform adequately during intensive breeding

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3
Q

why are bulls/rams with a BCS of over 4 deemed unsatisfactory for breeding

A

they may suffer poor semen quality due to the deposition of fat in the scrotum leading to thermo-regulation problems

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4
Q

why are post-legged bulls/rams not good for breeding

A

increased risk of lameness due to hock, stifle or hip joint pathology

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5
Q

what are puffy hocks

A

swollen hocks due to excessive synovial fluid

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6
Q

why should bulls/rams with puffy hocks be avoided

A

distension of the hock joint may be caused by osteochondrosis which can progress to lameness

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7
Q

do feet and leg abnormalities affect semen quality

A

no but they may affect libido

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8
Q

describe the normal scrotal shape

A

straight sided
normal (pendulous)
wedge-shaped

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9
Q

why might the testes not move easily within the scrotum

A

adhesions due to previous infections or inflammation may be present

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10
Q

what is orchitis

A

inflammation of the testes

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11
Q

what disease could cause orchitis as a primary symptom

A

brucella ovis

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12
Q

why is scrotal circumference important

A

it is highly correlatedto paired testes weight, daily sperm production and semen quality

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13
Q

what can cause scrotal dermatitis in rams

A

chorioptic mange

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14
Q

what can cause a congenital scrotal hypoplasia

A

abnormality of blood supply
(belgian blue bulls)

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15
Q

what is normal scrotal circumference in rams

A

> 33cm
or
30cm for ram lambs

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16
Q

what can cause hard and small testicles

A

post-traumatic scarring or fibrosis/calcification with age

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17
Q

what can cause soft testicles

A

tubular atrophy

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18
Q

what can cause enlarged testicles

A

neoplasia

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19
Q

what is spermatocoele

A

Sperm-filled cyst near the head of the epididymis
Usually asymptomatic

20
Q

how can we examine the accessory sex glands

A

via digital or rectal exam

via ultrasound

21
Q

List 4 viral causes of male infertility in cattle

A

IBR
BVD
EBL
bluetongue

22
Q

List 7 bacterial causes of male inferility in cattle

A

campylobacter,
brucella
TB
lepto
Johnes
mycoplasma
ureaplasma

23
Q

List 2 viral causes of male infertility in sheep

A

bluetongue and possibly schmallenberg

24
Q

List 4 bacterial causes of male infertility in sheep

A

brucella ovis
possibly Johnes
mycoplasma
ureaplasma

25
Q

how can we collect semen in ruminants

A

Artificial vagina
electro-ejaculation

26
Q

how can we collect semen in stallions

A

Artificial vagina

27
Q

how can we collect semen in boars

A

Artificial vagina
digital manipulation
electro-ejaculation

28
Q

why is electro-ejaculation semen collection not considered standard

A

it is painful and should only be used when absolutely necessary

29
Q

what is normal semen colour

A

white- yellow

30
Q

what can green semen indicate

A

pseudomonas aeruginosa

31
Q

how can we assess gross motility of semen

A

assessed by placing 5-10mm drop of fresh semen on a clean warmed slide and examining under low power

32
Q

minimum progressive motility to pass a semen examination

A

60%

33
Q

List the 3 things that gross motility depends on

A

concentration
% progressively motile sperm
speed of progression of sperm

34
Q

what percentage of sperm should be morphologically normal

A

over 70%

35
Q

what stain is used on semen smears

A

eosin-nigrosin

36
Q

what are proximal cytoplasmic droplets a sign of

A

disturbed epididymal or testicular function

37
Q

what can high number of sperm with detached heads indicate

A

can indicate sperm has accumulated in the epididymis

if they don’t clear after a few ejaculates, it can indicate an underlying cause - i.e. stress or abnormal thermoregulation

38
Q

what can cause distal midpiece reflex / bent tails

A

can be from in proper sperm handling or can be due to inappropriate sperm maturation

39
Q

what can cause severely coiled tails - Dag defect

A

due to disturbances of spermatogenesis

or can be from a genetic cause

40
Q

what can cause distal cytoplasmic droplets

A

can indicate an abnormality of seminal fluids or ejaculation

41
Q

what can cause nuclear vacuoles

A

heat stress

42
Q

what can high levels of epithelial cells in semen indicate

A

inflammation of the accessory sex glands or urethra

43
Q

what can white blood cells or bacteria in semen indicate

A

contamination or evidence of infection/ inflammation

44
Q

what can spheroids in semen indicate

A

testicular pathology such as degeneration or hypoplasia

45
Q

what are spheroids

A

spermatogenic epithelial cells that have been shed from the seminiferous tubules

46
Q

How do we AI in cows

A

trans-cervical catheterisation

47
Q

How do we AI in sheep

A

laproscopic intra-uterine insemination