Summary
The probable extent of infertility in Australian beef herds is discussed and the view expressed that, with a high percentage of properties, an increase in calf branding percentages could be obtained by proper methods of investigation and control.
The general environment of beef cattle in the central portion of eastern Australia is outlined in so far as it affects the study of infertility syndromes.
The methods used for the examination in infertility syndromes in herd of from 500 to 1,000 breeders are described with particular reference to pregnancy diagnosis and herd sampling.
A total of 702 examinations were conducted on young (16 to 31 months) beef bulls of 3 breeds and 3 breed crosses (Brahman cross--100; Africander cross--93; Shorthorn cross--109; Brahman--81; Africander--89, and Hereford--230). A high occurrence of both increased size (overall 11.7%) and consistency (overall 40.2%) of seminal vesicles was observed. The Hereford breed had most enlarged (19.1%, P less than .01) and firm (20.9%, P less than .01) seminal vesicles. The significance of these findings is discussed. Testicular hypoplasia was diagnosed in 2.7% of examinations. The Brahman breed had most testicular hypoplasia (8.6%, P less than .01). The implications of this finding are discussed and the need is stressed for a wider investigation of gonad development in the Brahman breed in Australia. Other findings included: small seminal vesicles in 1.6% of examinations (Brahman breed highest with 8.6%, P less than .001), enlarged ampullae, 1.9%, 'soft' testicles, 3.4% and small testicles, 7.5%. Abnormal carriage of the testicles was detected in 0.3% of examinations. Ulceration of the prepuce was observed in 6.8% of examinations. The highest occurrences were in the SH (13.8%, P less than .01) and Africander (13.5%, P less than .05) breed groups. Varying degrees of preputial eversion or prolapse were seen in 0.7% of examinations with the Bx breed group having highest representation (3.0%, P less than .05).
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