Relationships among seminal culture, seminal white blood cells, and the percentage of primary sperm abnormalities in bulls evaluated prior to the breeding season

Semen samples from 100 beef breed bulls were evaluated for sperm morphology (phased contrast microscopy), seminal white blood cells, and the presence of potential reproductive pathogens. Eligibility required visualization of the glans penis throughout semen collection. Based on clinical spermiograms, bulls were grouped into normal, marginal, or unsatisfactory morphology classifications. The 3 experimental groups were similar in age and scrotal circumference and differed significantly in the percentage of primary sperm abnormalities. Most semen samples (94%) contained one or more potential reproductive pathogens (Hemophilus somnus, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium. Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Ureaplasma diversum). No significant relationship could be demonstrated between primary abnormalities and the assigned culture score. Our experimental results suggest that clinicians should interpret clinical semen culture results with great care. No significant relationship could be demonstrated between primary abnormalities and assigned white blood cell (WBC) score, although, only 1% of the samples was scored >5 WBC per high power field. The use of seminal WBC score may be valid adjunct to routine semen evaluation when that threshold is the basis for clinical decisions.