As previously mentioned, the primary role of a veterinarian in an artificial insemination center (AIC) is to insure biosecurity and animal welfare for the bovine population housed there. Standards for testing protocols are established and readily available on the website of the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) at www.naab-css.org. These are standard recommendations for the industry that are accepted by USDA/APHIS but certainly may be augmented by any further testing considered appropriate by the center’s veterinarian.

The ultimate responsibility of the veterinarian is to assure the welfare of the animals under his or her care. Since the stud is usually compensated by the units of semen provided, it is in the stud’s best interest to ensure that the cattle in its charge are adequately cared for. This means that feed, water, forage, and facilities meet the best of standards for quality. Although some facilities may retain the services of a nutritionist, others may rely on their veterinarian for suggestions on ration formulation or forage sampling and testing. Supplementation of minerals should not be forgotten for long-term resident herd members. Quality control of commercial feed rations should be observed and the resident veterinarian should periodically check feed and storage facilities to insure proper care and quality.

Since the focus of this chapter is the private veterinarian consulting for the bull stud, we should concentrate on the start of the process: entry into the bull stud. There are three periods at which health testing requirements must be performed: pre-isolation, isolation, and routine testing that will take place at regular intervals after entry into the resident herd.

The first round of testing, pre-isolation testing, may be done at the farm of origin by the resident veterinarian. Pre-entry requirements should be met within 30 days prior to entering the isolation facility. If bull owners do not wish to trouble themselves with testing, many custom studs offer pre-isolation facilities to house the bull while testing is conducted. These pre-entry requirements also apply to any mount or jump animals to be used in isolation or the resident herd. The isolation and resident testing requirements will be conducted upon arrival at the collection facility and at prescribed intervals thereafter. All testing phases require a complete physical examination, a negative intradermal test for tuberculosis, a negative test for bovine brucellosis, and a negative test for bovine leptospirosis. Those with titers of 1 : 100 or greater for leptospirosis may be reevaluated in 2–4 weeks. Those with titer no greater than 1 : 400 will be considered stabilized and allowed entry into isolation. Testing for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) should be performed before entry and a negative result obtained; the testing must only be conducted by virus isolation from whole blood or serum performed in cell culture, followed by evaluation of cell cultures with immunoperoxidase (IP), fluorescent antibody (FA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Lastly, testing for campylobacteriosis and trichomoniasis is required during the isolation period and at 6-month intervals thereafter. For both diseases, bulls are required to undergo a series of weekly tests, with the required number varying depending on the age of the bull. Table 11.1 outlines a basic AI center testing protocol. Please refer to www.naab-css.org for complete details and the most recent updates regarding testing requirements.

Examination of entry-level animals should be conducted as soon as possible after admission to pre-isolation. A good physical should include observation of ambulation on a surface that provides good footing, preferably loose soil or grass. At this time all physical features should be assessed from the muzzle to the tail, paying particular attention to the feet (Figure 11.1

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