Question for Cowboy on 4 hour semen motility test

[SWMO]

Terry,

Just found out that one of the bulls that we AI'd to this Spring the semen was not good.  Not because it didn't look good under the scope but because it failed the 4 hour motility test.  Can you explain the implications of this.  Will know this weekend how many didn't take.  Not something that you want to find out after the fact.  Definately will have wasted a month of our calving season. :'(

 

[red]

we have had a bull test done by OSU some early springs. It was really a good idea.
Here are some pictures from on of them. Pretty graphic. Might be considered bull porn. 

Red

 

[CAB]

 Did you happen to ask how it got into the market? All it is, is that after being thawed out for 4 hours, it did not have enough live viable sperm to pass the test which can be caused by a lot of different things. Hopefully it will not be too bad for you. If I were you, I would call up the lab that ran the thaw test and ask what percentage of live viable sperm did come through the thaw. They should have the #s on your batch. If you don't think that it may get you into trouble, I wish that you would let us all know the bull in question and the batch date from which bull stud please. Thanks, Cab.

 

[common sense]

I know this is a specifically targeted at Cowboy but I would like to add a couple of suggestions.  First off, when you get your bull semen tested this spring (and EVERYONE should have them tested) you have to make CERTAIN that your vet is staining a slide and not only checking motility but also looking for any abnormalities.  I have talked to a lot of folks that have had their bulls tested and then find out later that the sperm count was great and they were aggressive swimmers but everyone of them had a deformed tail or some kind of issue so none of the cows got bred. 

Also, I am almost certain that every bull stud would have records on every batch of semen they freeze so you should be able to find out how your semen ranked when stress tested. 

Good luck!

 

[CAB]

  If I remember right, I think that there have to be 60% live viable sperm come through the thaw to make qualification. That is why I would be asking what the % was. It may have been 50% or it may have been 0%. big difference. Please let us all know what you find out and how your conception rates turn out if you can. Thanks, Cab.
    Terry are you out there?

 

[SWMO]

Just got a small amount of the info this weekend not enough to give out any other information.  This is however a bull that has been heavily used this year.  When I know more I'll let you know.  Just don't want to start hammering a breeder or bull stud until I have further information.  I do know that our friends had some donor cows set up and didn't get a single good egg.  Which is how this whole thing came to light. He requested that they test the semen.  Of course by this time we had already bred and he got no eggs from his flush.  So the cost of the semen is inconsequential as to the cost of a flush and the cost of rebreeding cows and loosing calving time next spring.  Cows will start coming in this coming weekend.

 

[fluffer]

Red, You know doc Sanders too?  He is an awesome vet!  I don't know what we will do when he is completley retired  :'( 

Fluffer

 

[red]

Red, You know doc Sanders too?  He is an awesome vet!  I don't know what we will do when he is completley retired  :'(   

Fluffer

Yes, I worked w/ him assisting on a dairy that I worked at. He is first rate & national known for his dairy work. I think he'd make an excellent teacher for the kids going through the vet program.

Red  (clapping)

 

[SWMO]

0% viable after three hours.  65% viable at thaw.

 

[fluffer]

Red, You know doc Sanders too?  He is an awesome vet!  I don't know what we will do when he is completley retired  :'(   

Fluffer

Yes, I worked w/ him assisting on a dairy that I worked at. He is first rate & national known for his dairy work. I think he'd make an excellent teacher for the kids going through the vet program.

Red  (clapping)

Oh heak yeah!  You have to appreciate a vet who will look you in the eye and tell you that what your doing is all wrong and tell you how to fix it.  He will shoot you straight, so will his wife!  I love them to death!  They don't BS you either.  He is honestly one of the best large animal vets in the area.  Apparently on of the best dairy vets in the country. 

Fluffer

 

[linnettejane]

any word on this topic swmo...that you can share....