Male Small Ruminant BSEs and Repro Diseases Flashcards
(32 cards)
When should the ram/buck BSE be performed?
-before the breeding season with enough time to find appropriate replacement sires if need be
What are the main things that should be assessed during a BSE?
-body condition, eyes, feet, external genitalia (testicles, penis, prepuce), accessory sex glands (not routinely assessed-only if suspicious of issue), semen analysis
What is unique about the male small ruminant anatomy?
They don’t have a body of the prostate (not much to see)
-focus exam on seminal vesicles, vas deferens
They also have the urethral process on their glands penis
In order to exteriorize the penis of male small ruminants, where should you palpate?
Directly caudal to the testicles in order to press on the sigmoid flexure
T/F: palpation of testicles during small ruminant BSE is more important than it is in bulls
True
-should assess tone, symmetry, temperature, localize the caudal epididymis
-should be 10 degrees colder than body temperature
At what day of age is testicular diameter a good prediction of post pubertal testicular size and sperm output?
170 days
What are the major criteria for selection of replacement rams in terms of scrotal size?
Ram lambs over 150 lbs should have scrotal size >30 cm
Yearling lambs from 12-18 months should have scrotal size >33 cm
Rams >250 lbs should have SC > 36 cm
Why is it hard to set standards for scrotal size in goats?
There is a ton of variation between breeds
In this region, when is a rams scrotal circumference the largest?
From August through October (aka during breeding season)
- can decrease up to 30% outside of breeding season (natural degeneration- never fail for this)
-some breeds more affected by the season than others
What are the options for semen collection in small ruminants?
Artificial vagina or electoejaculator
What things should you look for when analyzing the semen?
-color and consistency of ejaculate
-on microscope, assess mass vs individual motility, presence of WBCs, morphology
-head, midpiece, tail defects (head and midpiece are primary and noncompensatory, tail are secondary and noncompensable)
How long is the spermatogenic cycle? How long does epididymal transport take?
Cycle is 48 days, 10-14 days for transport
How can you perform a serving capacity test? What does it measure?
-a measurement of libido (number of times a male services a female during defined period)
-pen should be 3-5 m and in clear view of males that are to be tested
-male placed in pen with 2-4 cycling unrestrained females for 20-40 min
-ideally 4-6 or more breedings during 30 min period, but 2-3 is acceptable
T/F: rams born co-twin to a female sibling have higher serving capacity than those born cotwin to males
False- better if co twin to male
Describe the polled intersex condition in goats
The majority of them are male pseudohermaphrodites
-more prevalent in polled breeds and affected animals are homozygous (use of phenotypically polled bucks should be avoided for this reason)
-these animals are karyotypically female but develop masculine appearances at puberty (enlarged clitoris, decreased anogenital distance)
-bilateral cryptorchidism common, as well as hypospadias, short penises, sperm granulomas, testicular hypoplasia
-these animals can make good teaser animals, but otherwise should be culled
Which testicle is more commonly retained in cryptorchid small ruminants?
Right
-higher incidence in intersex animals
How do you diagnose cryptorchidism? Treatment?
-testicular/inguinal palpation, ultrasonography, bloodwork
-treat with castration via exploratory laparotomy. DO NOT BREED
Describe some of the features of sperm granulomas
- occurs more commonly in bucks than rams (associated with PIS)
-usually bilateral (even if it presents as unilateral)
-caused by partial or complete blockage of the efferent ducts draining into the epididymis (ducts may become distended and rupture)
-diagnose via palpation of firm swelling in the head of the epididymis. Testes begin edematous but ultimately undergo degeneration
-treatment: castrate and/or cull
What is a testicular hydrocele?
-fluid accumulation around the testicle
-usually idiopathic, but can be due to inflammation/trauma or excessive peritoneal free fluid
-diagnose on palpation or ultrasonography
-treat with hemicastration if unilateral or cull
Is testicular varicocele more common in rams or bucks?
Rams
- it is a local dilation and thrombosis of the internal spermatic vein leading to a fluctuant to hard swelling palpable in the spermatic cord (often manifests as rear limb lameness)
-diagnose based on clinical signs (testicle feels cold), palpation +/- ultrasound
-treat with hemicastration or cull
What are the differences between testicular hypoplasia and degeneration?
Hypoplasia: associated with intersex conditions in bucks and chromosomal abnormalities in rams. Found in young animals
Degeneration/atrophy: may see normal atrophy outside of breeding season, or could be caused by zinc deficiency, hypothyroidism (iodine deficiency), starvation, disease, or stress. Correct underlying cause or cull
What do degenerative testicles look like on ultrasound?
Heterogenous pattern and mineralization
Describe some characteristics of scrotal hernias
More common in rams than goats
-can be heritable or traumatic
-seen as distention of one side of the scrotum with freely movable fluctuant loop of intestine
-diagnose via palpation or US
-treat with hemicastration- can go on to pass BSEs but breeding capacity will be less (due to less sperm). Must consider heritability
What is hypospadias?
The opening of the urethral orifice on the ventral aspect of the penis
-associated with intersex conditions
-should cull these animals, some surgical techniques if you want to keep as pets
