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