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Guidelines & Health Screening
Guidelines & Health Screening
• Standards: There are no specific official guidelines for bucks, so criteria are typically extrapolated from those used for rams.
• Standards: There are no specific official guidelines for bucks, so criteria are typically extrapolated from those used for rams.
• Mandatory Disease Testing:
• Mandatory Disease Testing:
◦ Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.
◦ Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.
◦ Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAE).
◦ Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAE).
◦ Note: Unlike in rams, Brucella ovis infection is rare in bucks.
◦ Note: Unlike in rams, Brucella ovis infection is rare in bucks.
Physical & Genital Evaluation:
Physical & Genital Evaluation:
• Testicular Palpation: Must be performed carefully to detect abnormalities.
• Testicular Palpation: Must be performed carefully to detect abnormalities.
• Scrotal Circumference: Measured as part of the routine exam (though sperm production is often measured directly if an artificial vagina is used).
• Scrotal Circumference: Measured as part of the routine exam (though sperm production is often measured directly if an artificial vagina is used).
• Common Pathologies:
• Common Pathologies:
◦ Sperm Granulomas: Frequently found in the head of the epididymis; often related to the polled intersex condition (XO/XY).
◦ Sperm Granulomas: Frequently found in the head of the epididymis; often related to the polled intersex condition (XO/XY).
◦ Cryptorchidism: Common and heritable, particularly in Angora goats; these bucks are classified as unsatisfactory and should not be used for breeding.
◦ Cryptorchidism: Common and heritable, particularly in Angora goats; these bucks are classified as unsatisfactory and should not be used for breeding.
◦ Testicular Degeneration: A frequent cause of fertility loss in older bucks.
◦ Testicular Degeneration: A frequent cause of fertility loss in older bucks.
Semen Collection Methods
Semen Collection Methods
• Artificial Vagina (AV):
• Artificial Vagina (AV):
◦ Status: The preferred method because bucks are easily trained.
◦ Status: The preferred method because bucks are easily trained.
◦ Procedure: Performed using an estrous doe (though nonestrous does can be used).
◦ Procedure: Performed using an estrous doe (though nonestrous does can be used).
• Electroejaculation:
• Electroejaculation:
◦ Status: Less preferred due to excessive vocalization.
◦ Status: Less preferred due to excessive vocalization.
◦ Requirement: Should be performed under sedation for the welfare of the buck.
◦ Requirement: Should be performed under sedation for the welfare of the buck.
Semen Quality Standards:
Semen Quality Standards:
• Volume: Typically between 0.5–2 mL.
• Volume: Typically between 0.5–2 mL.
• Concentration: High, ranging from 1.5–4 billion sperm/mL.
• Concentration: High, ranging from 1.5–4 billion sperm/mL.
• Progressive Motility: Must be ≥ 50% for a satisfactory rating.
• Progressive Motility: Must be ≥ 50% for a satisfactory rating.
• Morphology: Must be ≥ 70% morphologically normal.
• Morphology: Must be ≥ 70% morphologically normal.
Classification of Results
Classification of Results
• Satisfactory Breeder Requirements:
• Satisfactory Breeder Requirements:
◦ Normal physical examination parameters.
◦ Normal physical examination parameters.
◦ Free from infectious diseases (CAE and C. pseudotuberculosis).
◦ Free from infectious diseases (CAE and C. pseudotuberculosis).
◦ Completely devoid of genital lesions (e.g., granulomas).
◦ Completely devoid of genital lesions (e.g., granulomas).
◦ Meets the minimum thresholds for progressive motility (50%) and normal morphology (70%).
◦ Meets the minimum thresholds for progressive motility (50%) and normal morphology (70%).
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