During a 12-yr period, breeding soundness examinations (BSE) were perf
ormed on 1,952 yearling bulls of 4 different breeds: Angus (n=852); Ch
arolais (n=205); Polled Hereford (n=520); and Simmental (n=375). The y
earling bulls had satisfactorily completed a record of performance tes
t at 1 of 4 North Carolina test stations. The 1976 BSE guidelines of t
he Society for Theriogenology were used; however, semen analysis was n
ot always conducted as determined by test station policy, and thus few
er bulls had a satisfactory score while more bulls had a questionable
score when semen analysis was also performed. No statistical differenc
e was observed in bulls scoring unsatisfactory between years with and
without semen analysis. Overall, 85.2% were classified as satisfactory
, 9.0% as questionable and 5.7% as unsatisfactory. The mean BSE score
was 77.0. Simmental bulls had the largest mean scrotal circumference (
SC), followed by Angus, Charolais and Polled Hereford bulls. Final tes
t weight had the greatest effect on SC. Mean sperm motility score was
12.8, and mean total sperm abnormalities 24.9%. Penile fibropapillomas
were diagnosed in 2.8% of the yearling bulls. The incidence rate of p
ersistent frenulums was 4.4%. Angus bulls had the highest incidence of
penile fibropapillomas and persist ent frenulums. The incidence of pe
rsistent frenulums was greater (P<0.01) in 11-mo-old bulls than in 12-
to 15-mo-old bulls. Breeding soundness examinations of 11- to 15-mo-o
ld bulls provide valuable information for selecting bulls for breeding
programs.