Determination of minimum weaning scrotal circumference in Santa Gertrudis bulls fed a low energy ration

Abstract

The scrotal circumference (SC) of 374 Santa Gertrudis bulls was measured prior to and following a period of low energy feed intake. A step by step regression was performed to formulate prediction equations in which the future SC of young bulls could be determined. These equations accounted for only 30 to 50% of the variation. Analysis of variance was used to determine the minimum SC at 7, 8 and 10 mo of age needed to obtain a 30-cm SC by 1 yr of age. At 7 mo, the bulls with the largest final SC, were those with an SC larger than 18 cm (P < 0.01). As the 8-mo SC increased so did the 13-mo SC (P < 0.01). As the 10-mo SC increased, the 15-mo SC also increased but bulls with less than a 21-cm SC were smaller (P < 0.01). Differences were also found between the 7 and 8-mo old weights of bulls and the initial SC (P < 0.01). As the initial testicle size increased, the 7, 8 and 10-mo ages and the 10-mo weight tended to increase. Few differences were found in initial SC measurements between the bulls that reached a 30-cm SC and those that did not at the end of one year regarding weight and age within each SC. These findings indicate that the SC at the beginning of a low energy feed period can be useful in determining the minimum SC outcome by the end of the test period.