Genotype and seasonal variation in testes and paired epididymal sperm production among indigenous bull cattle in Mubi Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Testicular and paired epididymal sperm production as affected by breed and season were studied among the common Nigerian indigenous bull cattle. Rahaji (RJ) bulls recorded the highest sperm production ability followed by Bunaji (BJ), Sokoto gudali (SG) while Adamawa gudali (AG) had the least. The corresponding paired testes sperm reserve (PTSR) values were; 149.91±2.68x10, 134.69±2.48x10, 118.34±2.59x10 and 116.82±2.55x10; for RJ, BJ, SG and AG bulls respective values for right testes sperm reserve (RTSR) were (RJ), 74.72±1.35x10, (BJ), 66.39±1.25x10, (SG), 59.33±1.31x10 and (AG), 58.36±1.29x10; left testes sperm reserve (LTSR) values were74.20±1.75x10, 67.26±1.61x10, 57.82±1.68x10 and 58.37±1.66x10,for RJ, BJ, SG, and AG bulls, while for paired epididymal sperm reserve count (PESR) values were (RJ), 301.15±4.67x10, (BJ), 277.72±4.32x10, (SG), 238.70±4.50x10 and (AG), 232.28±4.44x10. significant (P<0.05) season difference on sperm production was observed with the early dry (ED) season favouring sperm production best followed by late dry season (LD) late rain (LR) while early rain (ER) was least. Corresponding PTSR values were 138.69±2.69x10, 132.57±2.60x10, 126.70±2.52x10 and 121.45±2.49x10; respective RTRS values were 69.71±1.36x10, 65.94±1.31x10, 63.39±1.27x10 and 59.58±1.26x10 while PESR values were 275.93±4.68x10, 269.06±4.38x10, 260.09±4.53x10 and 243.88±4.34x10. Sperm production potential was observed to be highest in RJ bulls and least in AG bulls, while early dry season favours best the production of sperm and bulls in the period of early rain had the least.