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General Physical Examination & Health
General Physical Examination & Health
• General Soundness: Rams must be alert, free of lameness, possess a uniform fleece, and be free of injuries, wounds, or abscesses.
• General Soundness: Rams must be alert, free of lameness, possess a uniform fleece, and be free of injuries, wounds, or abscesses.
• Body Condition Score (BCS):
• Body Condition Score (BCS):
◦ Scale: 1–5.
◦ Scale: 1–5.
◦ Optimal: 3–4.
◦ Optimal: 3–4.
◦ Undesirable: 1–2 (underconditioned) or 5 (overconditioned).
◦ Undesirable: 1–2 (underconditioned) or 5 (overconditioned).
Scrotal & Testicular Evaluation
Scrotal & Testicular Evaluation
• Anatomy: Similar to bulls; requires thorough palpation of the testes and epididymides.
• Anatomy: Similar to bulls; requires thorough palpation of the testes and epididymides.
• Scrotal Circumference (SC): Used to estimate sperm production potential and quality.
• Scrotal Circumference (SC): Used to estimate sperm production potential and quality.
◦ Rams 8–14 Months: ≥ 30 cm is satisfactory; >36 cm is exceptional.
◦ Rams 8–14 Months: ≥ 30 cm is satisfactory; >36 cm is exceptional.
◦ Rams > 14 Months: ≥ 33 cm is satisfactory; >40 cm is exceptional.
◦ Rams > 14 Months: ≥ 33 cm is satisfactory; >40 cm is exceptional.
• Pathology Identification: Lumps, irregularities, or major abnormalities of the external genitalia render the ram unsatisfactory.
• Pathology Identification: Lumps, irregularities, or major abnormalities of the external genitalia render the ram unsatisfactory.
Infectious Epididymitis
Infectious Epididymitis
• Impact: Most common genital pathology in rams, leading to sperm granulomas and infertility (if bilateral) or subfertility (if unilateral).
• Impact: Most common genital pathology in rams, leading to sperm granulomas and infertility (if bilateral) or subfertility (if unilateral).
• Types:
• Types:
◦ Adult Rams: Primarily caused by Brucella ovis.
◦ Adult Rams: Primarily caused by Brucella ovis.
◦ Lambs (Prepuberal): Caused by Actinobacillus seminis.
◦ Lambs (Prepuberal): Caused by Actinobacillus seminis.
• Screening: An ELISA test for B. ovis is required for range rams and those >9 months old; a positive result is unsatisfactory.
• Screening: An ELISA test for B. ovis is required for range rams and those >9 months old; a positive result is unsatisfactory.
Semen Collection & Analysis:
Semen Collection & Analysis:
• Collection Method: Typically performed via electroejaculation using a specialized "ram probe".
• Collection Method: Typically performed via electroejaculation using a specialized "ram probe".
• Motility Standards:
• Motility Standards:
◦ Satisfactory: >30% progressive motility.
◦ Satisfactory: >30% progressive motility.
◦ Exceptional: >70% progressive motility.
◦ Exceptional: >70% progressive motility.
◦ Unsatisfactory: <30% progressive motility.
◦ Unsatisfactory: <30% progressive motility.
• Morphology: Must have ≥70% morphologically normal sperm.
• Morphology: Must have ≥70% morphologically normal sperm.
• Cytology: Presence of >5 white blood cells (WBCs) per high-power field is questionable and often correlates with B. ovis infection.
• Cytology: Presence of >5 white blood cells (WBCs) per high-power field is questionable and often correlates with B. ovis infection.
Classification of Results
Classification of Results
• Satisfactory: Meets all minimum requirements for health, BCS, SC, and semen quality (motility and morphology).
• Satisfactory: Meets all minimum requirements for health, BCS, SC, and semen quality (motility and morphology).
• Questionable: Assigned if one parameter is unsatisfactory but has the potential to resolve over time; the ram must be free of infectious disease and retested later.
• Questionable: Assigned if one parameter is unsatisfactory but has the potential to resolve over time; the ram must be free of infectious disease and retested later.
• Unsatisfactory: Assigned for infectious diseases, permanent physical defects, or failure to meet multiple criteria.
• Unsatisfactory: Assigned for infectious diseases, permanent physical defects, or failure to meet multiple criteria.
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