Scrotal thermography and testicular Doppler ultrasonography in bulls: correlation with the semen quality

Abstract

Brazil currently has the largest commercial cattle herd in the world accounting for 202 million head, and only 6% of females are inseminated. In 2009 were sold 9.2 million doses of bovine semen, demonstrating the immense potential for growth in this market. Fertility is very important within the herds and demonstrably affected by ambient temperature - heat stress. This proposal seeks to study the potential and feasibility of infrared thermography and ultrasound Doppler as complementary methods of routine evaluation and scrotal testes of bulls and proceed to the appropriateness of the methodologies of these technologies as methods of exams in routine evaluation of genital bulls considering factors environmental, climatic, technological and instrumental, aiming at early recognition of changes that may affect the production of high quality semen. (AU)