Abnormalities of the bull: occurrence, diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities of the bull,including structural soundness

摘要

There are very few sterile bulls but many bulls are subfertile due to a variety of physical conditions thatreduce reproductive soundness. Developmental anomalies or injuries of the penis and prepuce are seen during breedingsoundness examinations or when bulls fail to achieve a satisfactory pregnancy percentage during natural breeding (Carsonand Wenzel, 1995). Numerous congenital abnormalities prevent normal development that allow for breeding soundness.Many musculoskeletal abnormalities or injuries impair a bull’s ability to move freely in his environment and completecoitus. Any febrile or inflammatory condition may impair normal scrotal and testicular thermoregulation and normal spermproduction. Failure to achieve pregnancy in a limited breeding season results in significant economic loss for livestockowners.