Epidemiological Observations in a Corriedale Flock affected by Brucella ovis

Brucellosis in sheep, caused by Brucella ovis, is primarily a chronic infectious disease of rams with epididymitis as its most characteristic lesion. Six hundred rams from an infected farm were clinically and serologically examined once a year, over a 3-year period. An increase from 2.1% to 6.3% in the prevalence of animals serologically positive to B. ovis occurred over the 3 years. However, the prevalence of rams with lesions in the reproductive tract declined from 14.2% to 6.5% in the third year following one year of strict culling of clinically affected and rams that were serologically positive for B. ovis. Clinical lesions found in the 179 affected rams fell into two main categories: rams with epididymitis and rams with affected lymph nodes. These results suggest that the prevalence of the disease relates mainly to the sexual activity of the animal and not to age in itself. A single cull based on the results of clinical examination and serological test results was unable to decrease the prevalence of B. ovis in an extensive Corriedale sheep flock.     

Effects of ram preexposure and ram breed on fertility of ewes in summer breeding

Suffolk x Rambouillet ewes were used in two consecutive years to test the ability of Dorset and Suffolk yearling rams to stimulate ovulation and estrus in early summer (late June and July) breeding. After spring weaning about June 1, ewes were randomly divided into three groups and for 2 wk either were isolated from rams or were preexposed to either yearling Dorset or Suffolk rams by penning of rams in proximity to ewes. Ewes then were rerandomized into two groups for joining with either yearling Dorset or Suffolk rams fitted with marking harnesses. Serum progesterone profiles and crayon marks were used as indicators of ovulation and estrus. Overall lambing rate was not different among preexposure treatments for the 2 yr. However, early lambing rate (in the first 14 d of lambing season) was significantly affected by preexposure group (24% for Dorset vs 9% for Suffolk and 10% for isolation), especially in the 2nd yr (31% for Dorset vs 8% for both Suffolk and isolation). Ewes preexposed to Dorsets also lambed 10 d earlier (P less than .05) than ewes preexposed to Suffolks in yr 2, but the groups did not differ in yr 1. Ewes exposed to Dorset rams for breeding had higher overall lambing rates than ewes bred to Suffolks (75% vs 54%), especially in the 1st yr (77% vs 48%). Lambs sired by Dorset rams were born 6 d earlier in yr 1 (P less than .05) but only 1 d earlier in yr 2. Data from both years indicate that Dorsets are superior to Suffolks in ability to sire lambs in fall lambing systems.     

EVALUATION OF PROCEDURES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BRUCELLA OVIS INFECTION IN RAMS

Procedures for the diagnosis of Br. ovis infection in rams were evaluated by examining 10 rams artificially infected by preputial inoculation. Observations were undertaken at weekly intervals for 1 year to follow changes in clinical, bacteriological and serological findings. Clinical lesions were detected in 1 ram 3 weeks after inoculation and in all rams by 8 weeks; lesions were undetectable in 3 rams at the completion of the trial. The presence of inflammatory cells in semen samples was the earliest indication of infection being demonstrated in 2 rams at 2 weeks and in all rams by 8 weeks; subsequently 86% of samples were positive. Br. ovis was detected in semen smears from 3 rams at 4 weeks but only once in all rams (at 27 weeks); overall 52% of semen smears were positive from 4 weeks onwards. Br. ovis was cultured from semen of 5 rams after 4 weeks and from all rams at 5 weeks; thereafter 97% of samples were positive. All rams developed significant titres to the CFT between 2 and 9 weeks; thereafter the CFT was a reliable indication of infection in 6 rams, highly suggestive in 3 and unreliable in one. By 8–10 weeks all rams developed significant titres to the IHA which were then maintained in all rams for the remainder of the trial.     

Changes in spermatogenesis and endocrine function in the ram testis due to irradiation and active immunization against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation is a technique that has potential in livestock to enhance genetic gain and generate transgenic offspring through the male germ line. A means for depletion of endogenous germ cells in a recipient's seminiferous tubules is necessary for this technology to be applied. The objectives of this study were to evaluate several methods for depletion of endogenous germ cells in the testes of adult rams and to evaluate ultrasound-guided injections into the rete testes as a means for infusing a suspension into the seminiferous tubules. Sixteen adult rams were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (n = 4 per group). Treatments consisted of active immunization against LHRH (IMM), localized testicular irradiation (IR), LHRH immunization + irradiation (IMM+IR), and untreated control. Serial bleedings were conducted pretreatment and monthly after treatment for 4 mo, at which time all rams were castrated. Both IMM and IMM+IR rams received exogenous gonadotropin in the form of Perganol weekly for 8 wk before castration to bypass the immunization. All rams also received an ultrasound-guided injection of PBS containing 0.4% trypan blue into the rete testis of one testicle before castration. Rams receiving IMM and IMM+IR treatments had higher (P < 0.05) average percentages of seminiferous tubule cross sections with depleted germ cells compared with controls. Serum testosterone was decreased (P < 0.05) in IMM and IMM+IR rams 1 mo after treatment and throughout the remainder of the study compared with controls and IR rams, which were not different from each other. Serum inhibin concentration was unchanged in all rams following treatment indicating that Sertoli cell function was unaltered. A greater (P < 0.05) average percentage of the total testicular area could be filled with the trypan blue solution by rete testis injection in IMM and IMM+IR rams. These data demonstrate the depletion of endogenous germ cells in adult ram testes without alteration of Sertoli cell viability and function that have potential as methods for preparing recipient animals for germ cell transplantation.     

Zootechnical and genetic aspects of a prolific merino program

In a Prolific Merino nucleus herd of 200 ewes the ovulation rate (OR) test results obtained in 169 animals between 1988 and 1993 were compared with those of 113 ewes from the same herd in 1996. Whereas earlier the ratio of individuals showing an OR > or = 4 was only 32%, that of the group checked in 1996 was 59%. This increase could be attributed to 40 ewes, both of whose parents had proven to be homozygous carriers of the prolific gene. To develop the Prolific Merino breed, 21 Booroola Merino rams were imported from New Zealand, and mostly their frozen semen was used. Of these rams, one was not a prolific gene carrier, 8 were homozygous carriers, 10 were heterozygous carriers and two had not been identified yet. Of the 36 home-bred rams, 9 proved to be homozygous by parents, 11 heterozygous, 8 homozygous, one proved to be a non-carrier, and 7 rams and their frozen semen were to be progeny tested. Six thousand doses of frozen semen from a total of 33 animals (16 imported rams and their 17 home-bred offspring) are stored in plastic straws. Sixty-three % of this is semen reserve from rams of the FecBFecB genotype, belonging to 10 ram lines. The remaining 37% is gene reserve intended for creating homozygous ram lines. Only one ram (no. 3244) was bought for the nucleus herd, the other ram lines were introduced into the herd by assortative mating, using intrauterine insemination. The average conception rate found after 472 intrauterine inseminations was 53% with large (occasionally 10-100%) individual ram differences.     

Association of age of ram with distribution of epididymal lesions and etiologic agent

A 2-year study of the frequency of isolation of various organisms from mature and yearling rams with epididymitis was conducted at the US Sheep Experiment Station at Dubois, Idaho. Investigation into the distribution of lesions in the epididymis in relation to age of the ram also was studied. Serologic or bacteriologic evidence of Brucella ovis infection was demonstrated in 79.5% of the mature rams with epididymal lesions. Actinobacillus seminis and Histophilus ovis were the 2 most frequently isolated organisms from yearling rams with lesions. The tail(s) of the epididymis was the most frequent site of lesion development in the mature rams (86.4%). Yearling rams developed lesions twice as frequently in the tail(s) of the epididymis as in the head(s) of the epididymis. When lesions were localized in the head(s) of the epididymis, an etiologic agent usually was not demonstrated.     

Serology and semen culture for the diagnosis of Brucella ovis infection in chronically infected rams

The serological response to Brucella ovis and the shedding of the organism in semen was followed for a period of 13-14 months in 42 naturally infected rams. Most rams remained chronically infected and excreted the organism in their semen throughout the investigation. B. ovis was isolated from 87.9% of the semen samples from the infected rams. The most common sites from which B. ovis could be isolated at necropsy were the epididymides and accessory sexual glands. In one ram the organism was isolated from lung, spleen, kidney and iliac lymph nodes. Three rams ceased to shed B. ovis in their semen during the course of the investigation. Seventy-five (11%) of 686 sera from infected rams were negative in the complement fixation test (CFT) although 76% and 77% of CFT-negative sera were positive in the gel diffusion precipitin test (GDT) and enzyme labelled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. The high incidence of CFT-negative infected rams was due to the selection for the investigation of many rams with histories of negative or vacillating CFT titres. Sera from five rams which never shed B. ovis in their semen reacted erratically in the three serological tests. The five rams were from heavily infected flocks and were kept in contact with infected rams throughout the investigation.     

Retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of rams

Retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of rams during electroejaculation (EE) was examined. In experiment 1, semen and 4 consecutive samples of the urine released during the first post-EE micturition were collected once a week from 6 rams for 5 weeks during the nonbreeding season. The overall mean concentration per milliliter and the mean total number of spermatozoa in the urine ranged from 3.06 to 4.32 X 10(6) and from 80 to 2,865 X 10(6), respectively. The spermatozoal concentration in sequential urine samples was not different between samples, indicating that these spermatozoa had mixed with the urine before micturition. The percentage of the total number of spermatozoa displaced during EE, which flowed into the urinary bladder (retrograde flow), varied among rams (range 3.9% to 80%). The overall mean percentage of retrograde flow during the nonbreeding season was 28.3%. In experiment 2, a catheter was implanted into the urinary bladder of 6 rams (4 rams were from experiment 1), and semen was collected over 4 weeks during the subsequent breeding season. A urine sample was collected from the implanted catheter before EE. Immediately after semen collection, urine was collected by evacuating the bladder. The spermatozoal concentration in the pre-EE urine ranged from 0 to 1.3 X 10(6) (mean +/- SD, 0.17 +/- 0.38 X 10(6)) and was significantly (P less than 0.0001) lower than the spermatozoal concentration in the post-EE urine, which ranged from 1.10 to 22.55 X 10(6) (mean +/- SD, 9.46 +/- 11.30 X 10(6)).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Epididymal and testicular lesions in rams following experimental infection with Actinobacillus seminis

AIM: To investigate and assess the epididymal and testicular lesions in rams up to 44 days after inoculation with Actinobacillus seminis via various routes. METHODS: Forty-four young (18-24 months old) rams were randomly divided into nine test and two control groups (n=4 per group). The test rams were infected by installation, drenching or injection of A. seminis organisms cultured for 24 h in a brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth containing 2.3 x 10(9) cells/ml, via the following nine routes: intra-epididymal (1 ml), intravenous (3 ml), intra-urethral (3 ml), intra-preputial (3 ml), vas deferens (1 ml), intramuscular (3 ml), oral (10 ml), intranasal (3 ml), and intra-conjunctival (3 drops). All test rams were necropsied 9-44 days post-inoculation (p.i.). Control rams were subdivided into in-contact and non-contact groups and necropsied at 45 and 46 days p.i., respectively. Thin tissue sections were examined for histopathology. RESULTS: Gross lesions were evident only in rams inoculated intra-epididymally. Epididymides on the inoculated side were two to three times larger than those on the un-inoculated side, and the testes attached to the inoculated epididymides were also enlarged. Fibrinopurulent periorchitis and tunica vaginalitis were seen in three rams and atrophy in one. Microscopically, epididymitis was present in 17 (47%) rams, the highest incidence being in the cauda, followed by the caput and the corpus epididymis. Seminiferous tubular degeneration with areas of lymphocytic infiltration were seen in four rams: three inoculated via the cauda epididymis and one via the urethra. No epididymal and/or testicular lesions were seen in rams inoculated via the nasal and conjunctival routes. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of A. seminis in young rams by all routes except intra-conjunctival and intranasal resulted in epididymitis, predominantly in the cauda epididymis. Development of lesions in the reproductive tract following non-genital routes of inoculation supports earlier suggestions that non-venereal transmission of genital actinobacillosis occurs. This study confirmed the predilection of A. seminis for the epididymis, especially the cauda.     

Serology and semen culture for the diagnosis of Brucella ovis infection in chronically infected rams

The serological response to Brucella ovis and the shedding of the organism in semen was followed for a period of 13–14 months in 42 naturally infected rams. Most rams remained chronically infected and excreted the organism in their semen throughout the investigation B. ovis was isolated from 87.9% of the semen samples from the infected rams. The most common sites from which B. ovis could be isolated at necropsy were the epididymides and accessory sexual glands. In one ram the organism was isolated from lung, spleen, kidney and iliac lymphnodes. Three rams ceased to shed B. ovis in their semen during the course of the investigation. Seventy-five (11%) of 686 sera from infected rams were negative in the complement fixation test (CFT) although 76% and 77% of CFT-negative sera were positive in the gel diffusion precipitin test (GDT) and enzyme labelled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. The high incidence of CFT-negative infected rams was due to the selection for the investigation of many rams with histories of negative or vacillating CFT titres. Sera from five rams which never shed B. ovisin their semen reacted erratically in the three serological tests. The five rams were from heavily infected flocks and were kept in contact with infected rams throughout the investigation.     

Genital Disorders,Linear and Testicular Characteristics in Menz Rams

Clinical examination, bodily condition score (BCS), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), wither height (WH), and scrotal circumference (SC) were assessed on 486 mature Ethiopian Menz rams, on small farms, in local markets, and at the main abattoir in Addis Ababa from December 1994 to April 1995. Almost 27% of the rams were found to be unfit for breeding. Poor general condition, mainly in the form of respiratory disorders, was seen in 1.2% of the rams. Balanoposthitis, epididymitis and orchitis were the most common pathological conditions, affecting the external reproductive organs in 14.6%, 4.5% and 4.1% of the rams, respectively. Testicular calcification, cysts and testicular haemorrhagic lesions were detected in 4, 6 and 8, respectively, of the 60 rams examined at necropsy. The BCS, HG, BL and WH averaged 2.1±0.5, 67.7±5.0 cm, 60.1±4.5 cm and 60.1±4.3 cm, respectively. The mean SC was 25.5±3.9 cm and did not vary significantly with age (p>0.05). Among the linear body measurements, the highest correlation was between BL and WH (r = 0.66). SC was found to be most closely correlated to HG (r = 0.46). More investigations into the relationship between the present findings and actual fertility, and on their practical application in the selection of rams for breeding is recommended.     

Immunization with Brucella melitensis Rev 1 against Brucella ovis infection of rams

The efficacy of Brucella Melitensis Rev 1 vaccine (Rev 1) for the prophylaxis of Brucella ovis ram epididymitis was evaluated. Twenty-nine 3-month-old rams were vaccinated with 2 X 10(9) Rev 1 and 14 were revaccinated with 5 X 10(8) at 14 months of age. Six rams remained unvaccinated as a control group. All rams were challenged with 5 X 10(8) B. ovis at 21 months of age. Before being slaughtered 8 weeks later, only one vaccinated ram developed epididymitis while four of the six control rams developed testicular alterations. Genital and selected extragenital organs and lymph nodes were removed at slaughter and inoculated on selective media. B. ovis was isolated from 26.6% of the vaccinated rams, 21.4% of the revaccinated rams and 100% of control rams. Portions of epididymis, testes and vesicular glands were also used for pathological studies. More severe lesions were observed in control rams than in vaccinated ones. In conclusion, these results show that vaccination of young lambs, followed or not by revaccination, is a suitable method for the prophylaxis of B. ovis infection of rams.     

Efficacy of long-acting oxytetracycline alone or in combination with streptomycin for treatment of Brucella ovis infection of rams

Twenty-four rams inoculated with Brucella ovis by conjunctival and preputial routes were treated with a long-acting oxytetracycline alone or in combination with dihydrostreptomycin sulfate. The combined treatment eliminated Brucella ovis from 11 of 12 (91.6%) treated rams. Only 4 of 12 (33.3%) rams treated with oxytetracycline alone were bacteriologically negative. Neither treatment resolved clinical epididymitis in 2 rams affected before treatment. Many rams had pathologic lesions in the epididymis and ampullae, which limited the efficacy of antibiotic treatment.     

Testosterone and luteinizing hormone responses to naloxone help predict sexual performance in rams

The first objective of this study was to determine whether LH and testosterone respond differently to a naloxone injection in relation to varying sexual performance in rams. If differences occurred, the second objective was to determine whether differences would predict variation in sexual performance. From a group of 1.5- to 3-yr-old rams, 20 sexually active and 39 sexually inactive rams were selected based on previously observed sexual behavior with estrual ewes. Each ram was exposed to three estrual ewes for 18 30-min sexual performance tests, and those found to be inactive were given two 30-min sexual partner preference tests. The final distribution was 28 sexually active, 22 inactive, and nine male-oriented rams. Rams were treated with 1.5 mg of naloxone/kg BW in December of Year 1 and again with either 0.75 or 1.5 mg of naloxone/kg BW in November of Year 2. Plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone were evaluated with mixed model analyses for repeated measures separately for each year to coincide with logistic procedures for modeling the probability that rams were sexually active. For Year 1, a sexual activity x age x time interaction for LH after naloxone was observed (P < 0.03). For testosterone, there was a sexual activity x time interaction (P < 0.03), with a similar, early increase for sexually active female-and male-oriented rams compared with a delayed, minimal increase for inactive rams. For Year 2, when all rams were over 2.5 yr of age, a sexual activity x time interaction for both LH and testosterone (P < 0.02) seemed more related to an earlier increase of both hormones for sexually active rams than the increase observed for inactive rams. In addition, sexually active rams had a greater increase in testosterone than inactive rams. No significant difference was observed between 0.75 and 1.50 mg of naloxone/kg BW. Testosterone and LH were used as explanatory variables and sexual activity was used as the response variable in logistic procedures. In Year 1, greatest prediction accuracy was 73.5% using testosterone at 60 min after naloxone injection. In Year 2, the greatest prediction accuracy was 85% using LH at 15 min multiplied by testosterone at 60 min after naloxone. Test repeatability for both years on the same rams was 76%. In conclusion, pattern and magnitude of naloxone-induced changes in endocrine function may facilitate identification of sexually active and inactive rams during the breeding season. Prediction accuracy of the naloxone-based test was 69 to 85%.     

A comparison of three serological tests for the diagnosis of B. ovis infection in rams

The complement fixation test (CFT), the enzyme labelled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the gel diffusion precipitin test (GD) were compared, for the diagnosis of Brucella ovis infection in rams. The sensitivities of the tests in 109 rams which were shedding B. ovis in their semen were: CFT 96.3%; ELISA 97.2%; GD 91.7%. The specificities of the tests in 141 rams from non-infected flocks were: CFI 99.3%; ELISA 98.6%; GD 100%. Predictive values of the three tests were measured in 285 rams from infected flocks. Thirty-eight percent of these rams were shedding B. ovis in their semen. Predictive values of positive tests were: CFT 75.5%; ELISA 66.7%; GD 72.5%. Predictive values of negative tests were: CFI 97.1%; ELISA 97.6%; GD 93.8%.     

不同时间引入公羊对非繁殖季节诱导卡拉库尔母羊同期发情的试验

将90只处于乏情期的卡拉库尔母羊随机分为两组，统一使用孕激素合剂处理与阴道海绵孕酮埋植12d和肌注PMSG，对两组母羊在不同时间引入处理公羊。结果表明，发情前2d引处处理公羊组97.8%母羊表现发情，第1和第2情期产羔母羊数占处理母羊数的93.3%，其中第1情期产羔母羊数占处理母羊数的48.9%，产羔的综合效果优于发情当日引入处理公羊组。     

Impact of heat stress,nutritional restriction and combined stresses (heat and nutritional) on growth and reproductive performance of Malpura rams under semi‐arid tropical environment

A study was conducted to assess the combined effect of heat stress and nutritional restriction on growth and reproductive performances in Malpura rams. Twenty‐eight adult Malpura rams (average body weight (BW) 66.0 kg) were used in this study. The rams were divided into four groups: CON (n = 7; control), HES (n = 7; heat stress), NUS (n = 7; nutritional stress) and COS (n = 7; combined stress). The study was conducted for a period of 2 months. CON and HES rams had ad libitum access to their feed while NUS and COS rams were under restricted feed (30% intake of CON rams) to induce nutritional stress. The HES and COS rams were kept in climatic chamber at 42 °C and 55% relative humidity for 6 h a day between 10 : 00 h and 16 : 00 h to induce heat stress. Body weight increased significantly (p < 0.05) in CON as compared to NUS and COS. When compared within groups, scrotal width morning, scrotal width afternoon, scrotal circumference morning and scrotal circumference afternoon were significantly (p < 0.05) larger in CON while smaller in COS rams. The higher testicular length was recorded both during morning (p < 0.05) and afternoon (p < 0.01) in COS rams while the lowest in NUS rams. The highest plasma testosterone concentration was recorded in CON and lowest in COS rams. Semen volume and mass motility also differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the groups. The highest semen volume and mass motility was recorded in CON and NUS while lowest in both HES and COS rams. It can be concluded from this study that when two stressors occur simultaneously, they may have severe impact on reproductive performance of rams.     

Seroprevalence of Brucella ovis infection in commercial ram flocks in the Tamworth area

Commercial ram flocks in the Tamworth area of northern New South Wales were surveyed to estimate the proportion of flocks, and rams, infected with Brucella ovis. The flock prevalence (percentage of flocks containing seropositive rams) of 9.1% for Merino flocks was significantly lower than that for British-breed flocks (43.8%, p=0.006) and mixed-breed flocks (46.7%, p=0.017). The mean flock prevalence over all flock types was 32.9%. These estimates were supported by data obtained from diagnostic testing for brucellosis carried out during the previous 6 years. The seroprevalence in rams was 10.8% overall, 2.5% for Merinos, 19% for Border Leicester and 26% for Dorset rams. Within infected flocks, the estimated prevalences were 21%, 65% and 67% for Merinos, Border Leicester and Dorset rams respectively. The seroprevalence in Merino rams was significantly lower than that for both other breeds (p<0.001) for all flocks and in infected flocks. There was no apparent association between age and serological status, or age and the prevalence of epididymitis.     

Effect of Trypanosoma vivax infection on semen characteristics of Yankasa rams.

Twelve Yankasa rams aged between 2 1/2 and 3 years with good semen characteristics were used in this 15-week study. Six rams were infected with Trypanosoma vivax, while six served as controls. The infected rams developed chronic trypanosomosis accompanied by fluctuating pyrexia, lethargy, anaemia, scrotal oedema and cachexia. There was a drastic and progressive deterioration in semen quality in all infected rams manifested by a decrease in volume or cessation of semen production, oligozoospermia, a sharp decrease in progressively motile sperm, elevated numbers of dead (eosinophilic) sperm and 100% morphological abnormalities of sperm in most animals. The rams were all deemed unfit for breeding by 3 weeks post-infection. Uninfected rams were healthy and had good semen characteristics throughout the investigation. The results show that rams infected with T. vivax may become infertile within a short interval due to rapid deterioration of semen characteristics and this trypanosome species may be an important causative agent of infertility in endemic areas.     

Evaluation of three-ram cohort serving capacity tests as a substitute for individual serving capacity tests

Alternatives to time-consuming, laborious individual serving capacity tests (ISCT) are needed to classify ram sexual behavior. The objective of study 1 was to evaluate the relationship between the first 3-ram cohort test (COSCT) scores and the mean of 5 ISCT scores. The objective of study 2 was to determine whether 1 or 2 additional COSCT improved the ability to predict ISCT scores. For study 1, rams (n = 69) were assigned to either a COSCT given before or after 9 ISCT. For study 2, rams (n = 127) were given 3 COSCT before or after 6 ISCT. For repeated COSCT, rams were initially grouped at random and subsequently rerandomized so that each ram was grouped with at least 1 different ram for each test. For both studies, the number of ejaculations from COSCT was compared with the mean number of ejaculations across the second through sixth ISCT. A threshold between high- and low-performing rams was defined in each analysis as the mean ISCT scores of sexually active rams. Rams with a mean number of ejaculations in ISCT greater than the threshold were classified as having high sexual activity, whereas rams below the threshold were classified as having low sexual activity. Rams with no ejaculations in ISCT were classified as sexually inactive. Data from studies 1 and 2 were used to evaluate the relationship between the first COSCT and the mean of 5 ISCT scores. Data from multiple COSCT were fit to various models to determine whether the ability to predict ISCT scores was improved with 1 or 2 additional COSCT. The best model for ISCT and COSCT was a piecewise linear regression model. The first COSCT correctly identified all sexually inactive rams in both studies. The first COSCT, however, also classified 56% of low sexually active rams and 18% of high sexually active rams as inactive. Rams had a 71% probability of high sexual activity in ISCT if they were classified as sexually active in the first COSCT. We conclude that a single COSCT is a reliable, albeit more conservative, and efficient alternative to a series of ISCT for characterizing sexual activity of rams. Multiple COSCT can provide some protection against culling rams with high sexual activity (i.e., approximately 50% less with 2 additional COSCT) and still retain most of the efficiency compared with ISCT. It is important to use high-performance rams for breeding because they will approximately double the number of ewes bred and lambs sired compared with low-performance rams if a large number of ewes need to be serviced daily.