Scrotal forms (bulls)Relaxed scrotums, testicles are relatively far from the body
Scrotums with short neck, testicles are close to the body
Oval forms Round symmetry Testicular torsion
Scrotal forms (boars) Testicles are almost out of the body
Testicles are almost in the body
Thin scrotal skinThick scrotal skin damaged scrotal skin – dusty and
or lesions on the skin
Examination of the ET by the help of an electronic (auto image freezing
function) transducer’s holder
Evaluation of the echotexture (ET) by Scanner 100
The ultrasonic images of left and right testicles are recorded on disk. The average gray level were characterized on a 256 gray scale: 0 (dark) and 255 (white).
left testis right testis
TesTracto software (developed for the data base) was used for the evaluation of the
ultrasonic ET
New development of the software: evaluation evaluation of the gray levels
distribution
Andrological data base for bulls
• Data base software (TesTracto®) has been developed to store all data collected during a breeding soundness evaluation, including standard information (identification, breed, birthdate, scrotal circumference, etc.) as well as all data generated by the technologies demonstrated earlier. In addition, digital images (e.g of the bull or perhaps his scrotum) can be readily incorporated. It is expected that the ability to acquire, store and retrieve data from several kinds of assessments will improve our ability to accurately predict reproductive potential of bulls.
Statistical analysis
• There are 188 bulls with complete data record (including CASPAR data) in the data base.
• Mean values and Person correlation coefficients were calculated for them.
Results1. Morphological and semen (CASA) data
BULL (n=188)Age (mo) 21.9 ± 16.7
SC (cm) 36.5 ± 5.3
TM (mm) 5.8 ± 0.8
ET (0-255) 48.0 ± 10.5
TSN (*109 spermatozoa) 4.7 ± 2.6
Motile % 77.8 ± 18.6
Progressive % 60.6 ± 17.0
Speed (m/s) 94.8 ± 13.3
2. Correlation coefficients and probabilities
BULLn=188
Age vs. ET -0.35 (P<0.001)
Age vs. SC 0.59 (P<0.001)
Age vs. Motile % 0.30 (P<0.01)
SC vs. Motile % 0.40 (P<0.001)
SC vs. ET -0.33 (P<0.001)
ET vs. TSN -0.41 (P<0.001)
ET vs. Motile % -0.33 (P<0.001)
ET vs. TM 0.62 (P<0.001)
TM vs. Progr. % -0.23 (P<0.05)
3. Relationship between the testicular echotexture and cross-sectional area of seminiferous tubules (determined
histologically)r= - 0.50, P<0.001
n=32
Lower echotexture suggests a greater seminiferous tubule lumenal space and fluid content within the examined area of the testicular parenchyma. Older bulls (age > 12 mo) expected to have greater seminiferous tubule activity, have a lower echotexture. Amount of blood content could also play a role.CONCLUSION:Echotexture probably useful on practical level to predict semen production in young (12-36 months) bulls. Highly significant negative correlation was found between echotexture and TSN in young bulls to support this concept. However in older bulls (60-79 months), there was no correlation with TSN and echotexture.
4. Relationship between ET and Non Return Rate
Pearson's correlation coefficients (r=; P<)
Parameters compared
Austrian Fleckvieh n=16
Holstein-Friesian n=22
Age vs. SC
0.47 ; 0.05 0.57; 0.01
Age vs. ET
-0.12; NS -0.49; 0.01
SC vs. TSN
-0.40; 0.05 0.58; 0.01
ET vs. TSN
-0.05 NS -0.54; 0.01
ET vs. NRR
---000...555111;;; 000...000555
No data
Legend: TSN - total spermatozoa per ejaculation; NRR - non return rate; NS: non significant
5. Prediction of the semen production
* Based on SC, ET and TM. Examination of the bulls was performed at least 2 months prior to the semen production.
* Semen was measured for at least 2 months after the beginning of the semen production: SV, SD, TSN
Three categories were created:• NP - No predicted semen production problem• PP - Possible predicted semen production
problem• NUAI - Prediction: not useful as a breeding bull
6. Prediction results
NP PP UAI Total
Number of DG 91 93 7 191
Correct DG 86 57 7 150
Incorrect DG 5 36 0 41
Sensitivity 0.70
Specificity 0.94
Positiveprediction value
0.65
Negativeprediction value
0.95
Possible reasons of the incorrect predictions
Calcification. Dg.: PP
normal semen production 6 months later
Small SC (20 cm at 8 months of age
normal SC size (32 cm) and semen
production 4 months later
Possible reasons of the rejection
Cryptorchidism
Left testis: orchitis
right testis: fibrosis