Health Testing
Certified Semen Services (CSS), a subsidiary of the National Association of Animal Breeders, requires member organizations, such as Rocky Mountain Sire Services, to meet certain requirements for the health of bulls producing semen for AI use. These minimum health requirements are designed to protect the health of bulls already resident in stud and to help ensure semen used in AI is not a vehicle for transmitting those disease agents of concern.
The CSS health testing protocol is composed of three parts:
- Pre-Entry – Health testing before the bull enters the stud
- Isolation – After the bull is admitted into stud, he is subjected to CSS isolation health testing procedures. This takes approximately 6 weeks. During this time the bull is considered to be in the Isolation Period. Semen can be collected during this time. Only bulls that have completed this isolation period are eligible to have the CSS logo imprinted on the straws of semen.
- Resident Herd – Bulls that have finished all isolation health tests are admitted to the resident herd. The CSS logo is imprinted on the straws of semen, and these bulls are subjected to update health testing once every 6 months.
Collection for Export
Bulls that are having semen collected for export will be subjected to the CSS health testing protocol, plus any additional tests required by the importing country. Not all bulls will qualify for certain export markets due to their health status and vaccination history.
If you wish to have semen collected for foreign shipments, please be sure to advise us. The time a bull must remain in stud varies with each country. Additional health tests, pre-collection and/or post-collection are usually required. For some countries, we are only allowed to collect semen during certain times of the year (non-vector period).
Basic AI Center Testing Protocol
The basic health testing program is outlined in the CSS Minimum Requirements for Disease Control of Semen Produced for AI.
The following is a summary of the CSS testing program:
Testing Environments
Pre-entry to Isolation
(Within 30 days prior to entering isolation facilities)
Isolation
(Testing before entry into a resident herd and semen release)
Resident Herd
(Semen collection center)
Physical Examination
Conducted by accredited veterinarian.
Tuberculosis
Negative intradermal tuberculin test. (Within 60 days prior to entry)
Negative intradermal tuberculin test at least 60 days after pre-entry test and 21 days after entering isolation.
Negative intradermal tuberculin test at 6-month intervals.
Brucellosis
Official test of state where bull is located. Blood serum test (CF, BAPA or Card).
Complement fixation (CF)
and one BAPA or Card test at least 30 days after pre-entry testing and 21 days after entering isolation
Complement fixation (CF)
and one BAPA or Card test at 6-month intervals.
Bovine Viral Diarrhea
Virus
One negative virus isolation test performed on either whole blood (animals less than 6 months of age) or serum, or an antigen capture ELISA, or a PCR test.
One negative virus isolation test performed on either whole blood (animals less than 6 months of age) or serum or a negative PCR test on whole blood, at least 10 days after entry into the isolation facility.
Negative PCR test of processed frozen semen before release for use, or negative PCR test of processed frozen semen for any donors testing BVDV positive by SN test for types I and II.
Leptospirosis
Blood test for 5 serotypes important in USAa.
Blood test for 5 serotypes important in USAa. No sooner than 30 days after pre-entry test and 21 days after entering isolation.
Blood test for 5 serotypes important in USAa at 6-month intervals.
Campylobacteriosis
Series of negative culture tests of preputial material.
Bulls under 180 days of age - negative on 1 test b.
Bulls 180-364 days of age - negative on 3 weekly tests.
Bulls 365 days or older tested negative on 6 weekly tests.
Negative single culture test of preputial material at 6-month intervals.
Trichomoniasis
Series of negative microscopic examinations of cultured preputial material.
Bulls under 180 days of age - negative on 1 test b.
Bulls 180-364 days of age - negative on 3 weekly tests.
Bulls 365 days or older tested negative on 6 weekly tests.
Negative single microscopic test of cultured preputial material at 6-month intervals.
a L. pomona, L. hardjo, L. canicola, L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. grippotyphosa
b Providing AI center veterinarian can certify that bull has not been housed with female cattle since reaching the age of 30 days.
Available
To learn more about the CSS status, please visit the website which contains valuable industry information.
Contact Us
Office: 303-644-3246
Fax: 303-644-3554
Email: info@rmssbulls.com
1616 N. Manila Rd
Bennett, CO 80102