Analysing the Impact of Age, Body Condition, Scrotum Circumference Testicular Size and Hormone Levels in Pre-Pubertal Kundhi Buffalo Bull Calves

Abstract

: This study investigates and compares the physiological and behavioral characteristics of Kundhi buffalo bull calves focusing on the impact of age and size. Ten bull calves, aged between 14 to 18 months were selected and categorized into two groups: Group A: young (up to 14 months), with 210kg average body weight, and Group B: smaller (up to 18 months) with 305kg average body weight. The body weight of Kundhi buffalo calves linearly increased from the 1st to the 7th fortnight, with significant differences (p<0.05) observed between the two groups. The final body weight was higher in Group B (344.72 kg) when compared to Group A (262.04 kg). Similarly, scrotal circumference, girth, and length exhibited linear increases throughout the experiment with significant differences between the groups (p<0.05). Group B consistently showed larger scrotal circumferences (21.96 cm), girths (66.28 cm), and lengths (51.54 cm) compared to Group A (18.38 cm, 60.36 cm, and 47.44 cm, respectively). While testosterone and estradiol concentrations were non-significant (p>0.05) between the groups, they were higher in Group B (0.1504 ng/ml and 2.4724 pg/ml) than in Group A (0.1082 ng/ml and 2.2724 pg/ml). Behavioral observations, including nuzzling, sniffing, licking, bellowing, protrusion, and mounting, indicated higher scores in Group B. In both groups, mean nuzzling scores were (3.71 and 5.00), sniffing (0.28 and 1.28), licking (3.14 and 4.14), bellowing (0.85 and 2.14), protrusion (0.00 and 0.42), and mounting (0.00 and 1.28) in the "yes" category. These findings offer comprehensive insights into the physiological and behavioral differences influenced by age and size in Kundhi buffalo bull calves.