Seasonal effect on seminal constituents of swamp buffalo (Bubalus carabanesis) in the foot hill of Eastern Himalaya

Abstract

ABSTRACT A total of 150 ejaculates, 10 from each of 15 swamp buffalo bulls comprising each group 5 animals were used in the study to observe the seasonal effect in sperm biochemical and semen quality. Methods: Clinical and andrological examinations, and monitoring of semen production and quality were carried out on fifteen mature, healthy swamp buffalo bulls in North East India. Seminal characteristics were compared between three seasons of the year (Summer, March-June; Monsoon, i.e. July–September; Autumn, i.e. October–November and winter, i.e. November–February) with distinct ambient temperature and humidity. Results: All bulls were diagnosed as clinically healthy and with good libido throughout the period of study. Ejaculate volume, mass activity, HOST and acrosomal integrity differ significantly (P < 0.05–0.001) between all seasons, whereas initial sperm motility, sperm concentration and abnormalities did not differ significantly. The total protein, total cholesterol and total lipid of seminal plasma of swamp buffalo semen differ significantly between all the seasons. In conclusion, climatic changes did not seem to largely affect semen sperm output or viability, although the proportions of some semen characteristics and biochemical constituents altered season wise. Conclusion: Seasonal changes moderately appear to cause deleterious changes in sperm quality in swamp buffalo.