Introduction

• Bull infertility is presented as one, or a combination of:
  • Failure to mount.
  • Failure to achieve intromission.
  • Failure to ejaculate.
  • Poor pregnancy rate despite apparently normal mating behavior.
• A wide range of factors may therefore be responsible for apparent poor fertility of the bull, including management or herd factors.

History

Preliminary investigation

Observation of mounting behavior and mating

Physical examination

Further evaluation

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Statham J M E (2010) Differential diagnosis of scrotal enlargement in bulls. In Pract 32, 200-206 BMJ.
• McGowan M (2004) Approach to conducting bull breeding soundness evaluations. In Pract 26, 485-491 BMJ.
•  Eppink E (2006) A survey of bull breeding soundness evaluations in the south east of Scotland. Cattle Pract 13 (3), 205-209 VetMedResource.
• Penny C (2005) Practical semen collection and examination techniques for breeding soundness evaluation of bulls. Cattle Prac 13 (3), 199-204 VetMedResource.
• Penny C (2009) The development of a UK bull breeding soundness evaluation certificate. Cattle Pract 17 (1), 64-70 VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Merck & Co (2016) Reproductive System. In: Merck Veterinary Manual. 11th edn. Merck & Co Inc, USA. pp 1321-1408.
• Chenoweth P (2015) Bull Health and Breeding Soundness. In: Bovine Medicine. 3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, UK. pp 246-261.
• Logue D N & Crawshaw W M (2004) Bull infertility. In: Bovine Medicine - Diseases and Husbandry of Cattle. 2nd edn. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, UK. pp 594-626.
• Entwistle K & Fordyce G (2003) Evaluating and Reporting Bull Fertility.  Australian Association of Cattle Veterinarians, Brisbane, Australia.