2. Scrotal forms (bulls) Relaxed scrotums, testicles are relatively far from the body Scrotums with short neck, testicles are close to the body Oval formsRound symmetry Testicular torsion

3. Scrotal forms (boars) Testicles are almost out of the body Testicles are almost in the body Thin scrotal skin Thick scrotal skin damaged scrotal skin – dusty and or lesions on the skin

4. Examination of the ET by the help of an electronic (auto image freezing function) transducer’s holder

5. Evaluation of the echotexture (ET) by Scanner 100 The ultrasonic images of left and right testicles are recorded on disk. The average gray level were characterized on a 256 gray scale: 0 (dark) and 255 (white). left testis right testis

6. TesTracto software (developed for the data base) was used for the evaluation of the ultrasonic ET

7. New development of the software: evaluation evaluation of the gray levels distribution

8. Andrological data base for bulls Data base software (TesTracto®) has been developed to store all data collected during a breeding soundness evaluation, including standard information (identification, breed, birthdate, scrotal circumference, etc.) as well as all data generated by the technologies demonstrated earlier. In addition, digital images (e.g of the bull or perhaps his scrotum) can be readily incorporated. It is expected that the ability to acquire, store and retrieve data from several kinds of assessments will improve our ability to accurately predict reproductive potential of bulls.

10. Statistical analysis There are 188 bulls with complete data record (including CASPAR data) in the data base. Mean values and Person correlation coefficients were calculated for them.

11. Results 1. Morphological and semen (CASA) data

12. 2. Correlation coefficients and probabilities

13. 3. Relationship between the testicular echotexture and cross-sectional area of seminiferous tubules (determined histologically) r= - 0.50, P<0.001 n=32 Lower echotexture suggests a greater seminiferous tubule lumenal space and fluid content within the examined area of the testicular parenchyma. Older bulls (age > 12 mo) expected to have greater seminiferous tubule activity, have a lower echotexture. Amount of blood content could also play a role. CONCLUSION: Echotexture probably useful on practical level to predict semen production in young (12-36 months) bulls. Highly significant negative correlation was found between echotexture and TSN in young bulls to support this concept. However in older bulls (60-79 months), there was no correlation with TSN and echotexture.

14. 4. Relationship between ET and Non Return Rate

15. 5. Prediction of the semen production *Based on SC, ET and TM. Examination of the bulls was performed at least 2 months prior to the semen production. *Semen was measured for at least 2 months after the beginning of the semen production: SV, SD, TSN Three categories were created: NP - No predicted semen production problem PP - Possible predicted semen production problem NUAI - Prediction: not useful as a breeding bull

16. 6. Prediction results

17. Possible reasons of the incorrect predictions Calcification. Dg.: PP normal semen production 6 months later Small SC (20 cm at 8 months of age normal SC size (32 cm) and semen production 4 months later

18. Possible reasons of the rejection Cryptorchidism Left testis: orchitis right testis: fibrosis