The Visual Guide to
Bovine Reproduction
- Bulls
- Testis and Epididymis
- Accessory Sex Glands
- Scrotum
- Penis
- Prepuce
- Semen
- Breeding Soundness Evaluation
- Breeding Capacity
- Vasectomy
Male Reproductive System: Semen
Electroejaculation.
Electroejaculation can be done in a chute with untrained bulls. A drop-down panel gives access to the extended penis. Semen is generally collected with the aid of a so-called loving cup, a long handle with a ring at the end in which a funnel is suspended. A sterile graduated test tube is attached to the stem of the funnel.
Drost M (1979)
Bull Down in Chute.
Some bulls lie down in the squeeze chute during the electroejaculation procedure. It is generally better to apply minimal squeezing allowing the bull to support his own weight. May be more common in Bos indicus bulls.
Larsen RE (1990)
Suspensory Belt.
Some bulls, especially those of Bos indicus breeding, go down during the process of electroejaculation. To maintain access to the penis for collection of the semen sample, a heavy belt is sometimes used to prevent the bull from lying down. Bulls are more likely to go down when they are squeezed tightly in the chute.
Costa MZ (2007)
Catching the Sample.
During warm weather a test tube and a small funnel can be used to collect the semen sample. A PVC cylinder with a handle can be used to hold the test tube.
Larsen RE (2001)
Mechanical Phantom.
This French mobile phantom has a seat under it in which a person can sit and hold the artificial vagina for the bull to serve. The phantom is covered with a hide from a Normandie cow.
Roberts SJ (1973)
Use of the Artificial Vagina.
Semen collection with an artificial vagina is routinely done in bull studs, or artificial insemination centers. The process requires a teaser animal or a phantom and a trained bull. As shown here it can be done under field conditions with tractable animals.
Vale WG (1985)
Sediment.
Semen sample of a bull with seminal vesiculitis. There were very few spermatozoa in the sample. The sediment consisted primarily of neutrophils.
Larsen RE (2001)
Dense Semen Sample with Pus.
Sample from a bull with seminal vesiculitis. Note the precipitate of pus in the bottom (tip) of the tube. Despite the seminal vesiculitis and the presence of pus in the semen, the motility and morphology were normal.
Larsen RE (2001)
Flocculent Semen Sample.
The curdled appearance of the semen sample is suggestive of seminal vesiculitis.
Drost M (1980)
Collection Arena.
Semen collection area of a commercial bull stud.
Larsen RE (2001)
Semen Freezing.
Refrigerated hood and bench for preparing straws prior to freezing.
Larsen RE (1988)
Processing Laboratory.
Cold room for processing semen in preparation for cryopreservation.
Larsen RE (2001)
Liquid Nitrogen Processing Vat.
Large open top liquid nitrogen (LN2) vat for processing and storing semen. 0.25 cc straws are being frozen in LN2 vapor on racks set on a screen above the LN2. Diameter of the opening of the vat is approximately 1 meter.
Larsen RE (2001)
Processing Vat - Close-up.
Racks of 0.25 cc straws being frozen in liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapor. The racks are set above the liquid on a perforated platform.
Larsen RE (2001)
Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vats.
Commercial storage vats for storing frozen bull semen at a bull stud.
Larsen RE (2001)
Liquid Nitrogen Storage Tanks.
The two large tall cylinders are pressurized liquid nitrogen (LN2) storage tanks. The large stainless steel storage tank is in essence a large thermos bottle (the LN2 is not under pressure).
Larsen RE (2001)
Abnormal Acrosomes.
The spermatozoon with normal head shape shows a small folded area of the acrosomal ridge. The other spermatozoon has a more severe acrosomal abnormality.
Larsen RE (2001)
Acrosomal Cap.
Electromicrographic image of an acrosomal cap with an extended ridge that resembles a slightly folded acrosome on light microscopy.
Larsen RE (2001)
Detached Heads.
The detached white head on the right has a normal shape. The detached pink head on the left is eosin stained which indicates that it is dead.
Larsen RE (2001)
Distal Cytoplasmic Droplet.
A cytoplasmic droplet is present at the distal end of the midpiece.
Larsen RE (2001)
Bent Tail.
A bent tail is considered a minor defect which may have occurred during improper handling of the semen sample. This abnormality is sometimes referred to as a kinked tail or the distal midpiece reflex.
Larsen RE (2001)