Volume 1- Issue 5 : 2017 1267 Research Article Open Access Breeding Soundness Evaluation in Bulls: A Review SA Lone 1 *, AR Paray 2 , SH Mir 3 , BA Ganaie 1 , R Sinha 2 and P Singh 2 1 Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, ICAR-NDRI, India 2 Division of LPM, ICAR-NDRI, India 3 Division of Animal Nutrition, ICAR-NDRI, India Received: September 22, 2017 Published: October 05, 2017 *Corresponding author: SA Lone, Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, Haryana, India Cite this article: SA Lone, AR Paray, SH Mir, BA Ganaie, R Sinha, P Singh. Breeding Soundness Evaluation in Bulls: A Review. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 1(5)-2017. BJSTR.MS.ID.000415. DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000415 ISSN: 2574-1241 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000415 SA Lone. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res Introduction Bull breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) in is a procedure which reduces risk and improves strategic bull usage and herd fertility. The breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) is a method to evaluate the potential of a bull to be used as herds sire [1]. One of the essential components of the BSE is accurate semen evaluation. Standardized procedures and assessments for bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE) were first brought by the precursor of the American Society for Theriogenology (SFT) [2]. Today, various bull evaluation systems include a systematic physical examination which focuses upon the assessment of sperm motility, morphology and other reproductive functions [3]. Different surveys in a variety of locations and environments revealed that subjecting bulls to a BSE may help in classification of around 65–85% of bulls as “satisfactory potential breeders” [3,4]. However, this figure can vary with bull ages, genotypes, genetics, environment, management, prior selection and the particular BBSE criteria employed [5]. Study revealed that bulls which pass a BBSE and/or related semen quality tests, have a 6% or higher fertility as compared to unevaluated bulls [6]. Calf crops were higher when using bulls which had >70% normal spermatozoa and lowest from bulls with < 50% normal spermatozoa [7] concluding that semen quality, particularly normal spermatozoa percentage was consistently related to calf output. BSEs provided a benefit/cost ratio of approximately 36:1 in Brazil [8] and 17:1 in USA [9]. Using natural breeding bulls in dairy operations, the benefit/cost ratio of eliminating infertile dairy bulls was estimated at approximately 14:1 [10]. BSE Standards As per the Society for Theriogenology (SFT) a thorough knowledge of the minimum BSE standards is mandatory for performing a proper BSE. In order to categorize bulls as satisfactory potential breeders, they must pass the physical examination and equal or exceed the minimal thresholds in each of the categories mentioned in Table 1. Bulls which do not meet the thresholds mentioned in the Table will be classified as unsatisfactory potential breeders. Table 1: Minimal thresholds of scrotal circumference, sperm motility and normal sperm. Parameter Threshold Scrotal circumference 30 cm at <1.25 year 31 cm at >1.25 to 1.5 year 32 cm at >1.5 to 1.75 year 33 cm at >1.75 to 2.0 year 34 cm at >2 year Percent normal spermatozoa >70% Sperm motility >30% individual motility and/ or Fair gross motility Protocol for BSE Bulls approach should be watched in chute for gait and overall appearance of the bull. Once in chute, the identification, head, Abstract Breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) of bull is an easy, cheap, and an essential tool for the cow-calf operation. BSE reduces risk, improves, strategic bull usage, fertility of herd and economics. A field practitioner can play an important role in achievement of whole potential of BSE by performing it properly. A properly performed BSE should include the use of Society for Theriogenology based standards and a systematic protocol by the practitioner. Proper Semen evaluation is an important component of the BSE. Competent physical/reproductive exams and appropriate semen evaluations can contribute greatly to the fertility and economics of individual herds as well as understanding of factors which affect fertility. Keywords: Bull; Breeding Soundness; Semen Quality