preferably loose soil or grass. At this time all physical features should be assessed from the muzzle to the tail, paying particular attention to the feet (Figure 12.1). After this initial examination, the bull should be properly restrained in a squeeze chute, head gate, or lock stanchion. For beef bulls, a squeeze chute would be most desirable for restraint. Starting at the head, the oral cavity should be examined, making sure that all teeth are present and showing even wear (particularly important in more aged herd sires). The eyes should be evaluated for clarity, any presence of neoplasia, or previous injury. Make sure both eyes respond to movement and function normally. The ears are checked for any unusual discharge; in some areas of the country they should also be checked for ear ticks. The bull's chest should be auscultated and any abnormalities noted, as should the entire abdominal cavity. Particular attention should be paid to rumenal contractions, both in strength and number. Several peripheral regional lymph nodes are palpated for any evidence of lymphadenitis. Next, the underline of the bull should be evaluated from the bottom of the chute. The preputial orifice is palpated and examined as well as the scrotum, with palpation of the testes and all epididymal structures. Record the scrotal circumference with a scrotal measuring tape. Evaluation of the lower limb joints and hooves is performed at this time as well. Lastly, rectal palpation should be performed to evaluate abdominal structure, with a rectal temperature being taken and recorded. It is vital to pay attention to accessory reproductive organs, with specific interest in the health of the seminal vesicles. During the rectal examination, it is a good idea to massage the crus of the penis to allow an assistant the opportunity to fully extend the penis. Both vaginal rings are palpated and any abnormalities noted. After examination and pre‐entry testing, follow the recommendation of the NAAB/CSS for entry into isolation after presentation at the stud. Some producers may not be interested in submitting a bull for further testing as they have no desire to export semen. It is always recommended to follow CSS guidelines on any mature bull that has been breeding cows before presentation for collection.
Figure 12.1 Bulls going into a chute.
At the time of entry into isolation at the bull stud, or AIC as some like to be called, the bull is assigned a unique sire code number per the NAAB uniform coding system, if the stud is an NAAB participant. This code is separate and apart from any tattoo or brand used in a breed registry. The bull may display this code in a number of ways but most AIC's use ear tags with the code plainly marked. This code can be used by the center to identify product produced by the bull, although other permanent identification is used for health testing purposes (i.e. hide brands or tattoos).
After admission the bull entering the isolation facility must go into a pen that has been properly cleaned of any residual organic material deposited by the former occupant and disinfected (Figure 12.2). For stalls with dirt floors, a disinfectant applied as a mist over the area should be sufficient to meet NAAB standards. The veterinarian should be aware of the facilities and any damaged portions of housing that could injure an animal. The isolation facility must be separate and apart from the resident housing. All equipment used for cleaning, feeding, watering, and semen collection of the isolation bulls must remain separate from the resident herd. This includes feed storage and any mechanical means of transport. Workers must change boots or protective cover before entering or leaving an isolation area and going to other quarantine areas. Testing on the isolation bulls starts with an intradermal test for tuberculosis performed at least 60 days after the pre‐entry test; a test for bovine brucellosis not sooner than 30 days after the pre‐entry test, with negative result; and a test for bovine leptospirosis not sooner than 30 days after the pre‐entry test, with negative result or subject to stabilized titer of less than 1 : 400. Bovine campylobacteriosis requires up to six cultures and examination of preputial wash material collected at weekly intervals. Bovine trichomoniasis has the same weekly culture requirement during the isolation period. Testing for BVDV is performed no longer than 10 days after entry via whole blood or serum, with evaluation by FA, IP, or PCR on cell culture. All bulls having semen collected will have future testing for BVDV before semen is released. Semen testing by PCR is preferred, with at least one passage through cell line culture.
Figure 12.2 Ideal conditions for housing bulls in central Texas, Elgin Breeding Service.
Veterinarians should also familiarize themselves with the diagnostic laboratory they will be working with, particularly with regard to sample submission requirements, the intricacies of testing procedures, and especially testing protocols and the reporting of test results, as understanding results is very important. Any positive test results, particularly on pre‐entry tests, should be evaluated in conjunction with previous vaccination history. Frequently, certain vaccines produce a prolonged immune response that may interfere later on with attempts to approve semen for export. Leptospirosis vaccination produces a persistent titer for prolonged periods in certain cases.
Once the bull meets all the requirements of the isolation protocol, he is allowed to enter the resident herd, where testing is continued to assure compliance with international protocols. The required testing is preformed semi‐annually on each bull occupying the resident herd. Previous testing is continued at a less frequent pace (every six months), with tuberculosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, trichomoniasis, and campylobacteriosis all evaluated using the same testing protocols as discussed earlier. Bulls must be restricted from any contact with any other cloven hoofed animal; if such contact occurs, the bull must be returned to isolation and the testing protocol for isolated bulls must be followed once again.
Facility overview is another responsibility of the veterinarian. Supervision of the artificial vagina (AV) preparation room, collection area, bull housing, and semen lab and processing area should all be evaluated for cleanliness, absence of any cross‐contamination, and ability to disinfect contact surface areas. Semen processing equipment should be clean and serviceable and packing and shipping areas clean and organized (Figure 12.3). The veterinarian is responsible for all these areas, as noted when signing off on any federal export certificate. Accuracy is the goal of the veterinarian to assure that standards set by the OIE and NAAB/CSS are met to ensure continued access to all markets.
Figure 12.3 Semen canisters for storage of frozen semen and embryos. Note the cleanliness and organization of the facility.
The Collection Process
The collection of semen for cryopreservation is a fairly simple and straightforward process, except for those with no experience. Therefore the procedures should only be administered by someone who is competent and experienced at handling bulls and very familiar with the collection process. Good facilities are paramount to a successful collection attempt, particularly when dealing with beef bulls that have primarily had pasture breeding experience. Collection of semen from bulls with an AV is not for the faint of heart. The procedure basically involves allowing the donor bull to mount or “jump” another steer, bull, or cow and diverting the penis laterally in order to introduce the extended penis into the AV. Usually, once bulls are familiar with the technique, they will readily mount and serve the AV. Training them to do this is an art, particularly when dealing with less docile mature beef bulls and bucking bulls.
CSS mandates guidelines to be followed for bull health