RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FERTILITY AND SCROTAL-TESTICULAR ULTRASONOGRAMS IN YOUNG EGYPTIAN BUFFALO BULLS

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate some scrotal-testicular ultrasonography measurements in relation with semen quality of buffalo bulls at early ages. A total of 12 buffalo bull calves having 140-160 kg live body weight and aged 11-17 months were used in this study. Three ultrasonography examinations were performed at four age categories (11, 13, 15 and 17 mo) to estimate scrotal circumference (SC) and thickness of testicular mediastinum (MS) using B-mode ultrasound scanner. The testicular ultrasonograms were analyzed with the ultrasound machine using the spot metering technique, then mean pixel intensity values (PV, scale: 0-255) was calculated. Semen was collected at the same age categories and evaluated for ejaculate volume (EV), and percentage of mass motility (MM), dead sperm (DS) and abnormal sperm (AS) as well as sperm concentration (CN), then total sperm output (TSO) was calculated. Correlation coefficients for ultrasonography measurements and semen parameters were calculated. Results showed that SC, MS and PV were not affected significantly by age category, although there was a tendency of increase in SC and MS, and reduction in PV by increasing age category. EV and percentage of MM, DS and AS increased (P 2 mm and PV of >141had better semen quality than those with ≤2 mm and ≤140 as MS and PV, respectively (P>0.05). The strongest correlation was positive between age and pixel value (r = 0.776, P<0.01). Based on the obtained results in the current study, it would be valuable to evidence the relationship between scrotal-testicular ultrasonography examination and future fertility based on developmental parameters measured in the young buffalo bull calves at early postpubertal ages.