Such a tease! Production and uses of teaser rams, bucks, boars and bulls

Abstract

Background: Male livestock rendered sterile through vasectomy or epididymectomy, but still hormonally and behaviourally sexually active, have many uses. In small ruminants they can be used to advance the breeding season and puberty, synchronise and detect oestrus and improve conception rates to artificial insemination. In pigs, they can be used to hasten first oestrus in gilts and detect oestrus in sows. In cattle, they can be used to aid heat detection for artificial insemination.Aim of the article: This article outlines the surgical techniques used to produce such ‘teaser’ animals and discusses how they can be best used, as well as the alternatives to their use.

Fertility management of sheep and optimising flock returns

“…Homebred animals should also be considered for teasers to avoid the risk of introducing disease. A vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure (Fig 5); readers are referred to Crilly and others (2022) for further information. It is important that this procedure is carried out at least two to three weeks before intended use of the teaser, but ideally six weeks before.…”