BREEDING SOUNDNESS EVALUATION OF STALLION

Breeding soundness evaluations are performed essentially for pre-purchase exams, at the beginning of the breeding season, or in infertility cases. First of all, a very thorought breeding history is obtained, then followed by a complete physical examination. The testicles should be measured and palpated for abnormalities, and the penis examined. Accessory glands are felt and measured on rectal palpation. Use of ultrasonography allows visualization of the parenchyma and individual measurement of each of the testes and accessory glands. Sperm is collected with a warmed artificial vagina two times in a row at 1 hour interval. Sperm cells are counted and their motility and morphology evaluated. The second ejaculate is considered representative if it contains approximately 40 to 60 p.cent of the number of sperm cells present in the first ejaculate. The survival of extended semen kept at 4-degrees-C is usually studied for stallions used for artificial insemination. For infertile stallions, ancillary tests may be necessary. The most frequent genital lesions and venereal diseases and their specific treatment are described.