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Breeding Soundness Evaluation Resource List

Dr. Fred Hopkins                              Dr. Richard Daugherty, DVM
Professor                                         Alcoa, TN
Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Animal Science
University of Tennessee

A Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE) is a systematic examination of the bull resulting in an estimate of his potential fertility in a pasture breeding situation. It is generally recommended that BSE's be done about 2 months before the beginning of the breeding season to allow adequate time to replace any bulls that do not pass the test.

Research has shown that bulls that pass a BSE will sire more calves and that these calves will be born earlier in the breeding season. The return for using only bulls that have passed this exam can be expected to be about 7 times the cost of the exam.

A Breeding Soundness Evaluation should begin with a general examination of the bull including his feet and legs. Bulls that don't move well tend to be less successful. The BSE should also include a thorough external and rectal examination of the reproductive organs of the bull including scrotal circumference measurement. Bulls with bigger testicles make more sperm and tend to be more successful pasture breeders. Finally, collection and microscopic analysis of the bull's semen should include estimation of the percent of sperm that are alive and the percent that are shaped and formed correctly. Bulls that are physically normal, have no abnormalities of the reproductive system, have acceptable scrotal circumference and have acceptable semen quality are classified as being satisfactory for pasture breeding.

Below is a list of veterinarians in our state who conduct Breeding Soundness Evaluations. Contact a veterinarian in your area to learn more about the Breeding Soundness Evaluation services they offer.