Semen Testing!

Today the vet came out to our place to semen test the rest of our two year old bulls that still need to be sold. Semen testing is the process of taking a sample of the bulls semen and analyzing it's motility, density and percent alive. It is very important for bulls to be fertile with viable sperm in all areas. To take bulls to bull sales such as Calgary and Medicine Hat they need to be semen tested and they need to pass!

The process of semen testing involves inserting the probe of a electroejaculator into the rectum. The bull is stimulated through mild electric stimulation that stimulates sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to cause ejaculation. The semen is collected and put under the microscope immediatly to see if the swimmers are good. The vet will also measure the testicles to make sure they are large enough and both the same size along with no swelling or hardness. They will finish analyzing the semen at the clinic and then make an evaluation report.

This is the electoejaculator system, the probe which is inserted into the rectum

This is an example of the evaulation report the vet prepares.

Semen testing very important for selling bulls and must be done to make sure that bulls will be able to breed cows and that they have no problems so they can go out into the industry and produce progeny! Through semen testing we make sure they will do the job before they go out to the cows so that we know they won't end up leaving all the cows open.

If you have any questions about the process or the evaulation sheet please let me know, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have!