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Agriculture

2012-08-02 10:22:14

Using pyrethroid products on breeding bulls

A- This has become a topic of question since a concern was expressed by one of the presentations at a reproductive conference in Southwest Missouri last fall. The same concern and presentation made it into the May 2012 issue of Beef Magazine (“Buzz Killer”), creating questions nationally rather than just regionally. The statements made in the presentation and subsequent article were a result of the presenter’s clinical impression/assessment of situations where he had associated a decrease in bull sperm motility or count on Breeding Soundness Exam with the animals being recently treated with a product containing a member of the Pyrethroid/Permethrin family of fly control compounds. The questions in response to these statements caused us to visit with technical services of each of the major manufacturers of these products offered through dealers. Their bottom line statement is that there is no published study and/or evidence to support the claims of concern. In addition, the safety and efficacy studies these companies used to get FDA and EPA approval for the currently marketed products did not uncover any such concern. After also visiting with a toxicologist, he agreed with the above analysis but did add the common sense warning that if such products are misused (too concentrated; too much; unapproved product, etc.) there could be adverse effects on the sperm motility and concentration, but he thought they would be transient, or short lived, in nature. So let common sense and label directions continue to guide the use of products!! There has been some indication that one or more of the manufacturing companies are working to complete a controlled study to address these concerns with science and statistical certainty. We will let you know the results if and when that information becomes available. So, as the Pyrethroid questions continue to come up, the above explanation is the only answer thus far. If the questioning producer still has concerns, we are recommending alternative products such as pour-on avermectin compounds (Ivomec, Dectomax, Cydectin) or Co-Ral dust be used on the breeding bulls. Thank you for your question, I hope I’ve helped in some way!