Effect of dietary energy on growth and reproductive characteristics of Angus and Senepol bulls during summer in Florida

Abstract

Pubertal Angus bulls (n=10, 503 days of age and weighing 366 kg) and Senepol bulls (n=10, 457 days of age and weighing 381 kg) were stratified by age and weight into 2 dietary treatments formulated to provide equal amounts of crude protein and 75% (below) or 150% (above) of the maintenance requirements for metabolizable energy. Measurements to assess body growth and libido were collected at 28-day intervals for 112 days (June through September). Twice during each 28-day interval, the bulls were subjected to breeding soundness examinations. At the end of the experiment, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) — induced secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in the serum were determined. At the end of the experiment, bulls fed the above maintenance diet (P<0.0001) were 91 kg heavier, had 1.7 mm more backfat thickness and 12.6 cm 2 larger ribeye area than bulls on a below maintenance diet. Diet affected (P<0.003) the average daily change in scrotal circumference, but not the libido score (P>0.1) or semen quality. In general, Angus bulls had superior initial semen quality (P<0.06); however, during summer, semen quality tended to decrease in Angus but not in Senepol bulls. The final rectal temperature was 0.5°C lower (P<0.003) in Senepol than in Angus bulls. Basal T concentrations and area under the GnRH-induced T curve were greater (P<0.07) for bulls fed the above rather than the below maintenance diet. Angus bulls had a higher (P<0.03) maximal LH response to GnRH and larger area under the GnRH-induced LH curve than Senepol bulls.