Seasonal Variations in Semen Quality of Pasundan Bulls in their Native Tropical Environment

Nurul Isnaini,Tri Harsi,Anggit Damaratri Lapoliwa,Muhammad Mas’Ud Chabiburochman,Abimarhadimas Dwi Amarsyah

doi:10.3844/ajavsp.2021.124.129

Abstract

The success of artificial insemination highly depends on the semen quality, in which it may significantly associate with the environmental factor. However, the information regarding the seasonal effects on semen quality of Pasundan bulls is still scarce. This study aimed to examine seasonal variation in semen quality of Pasundan bulls in their native environment. A total of 203 ejaculates produced by two Pasundan bulls aged at four years old were used in this study. The bulls were kept under standard management conditions in Lembang Artificial Insemination Center. The results showed that mean values of semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, individual sperm motility, post-thawing sperm motility and frozen semen production of Pasundan bulls were 5.7 mL, 1.17 billion/ml, 6.57 billion/ejaculate, 62.1,0 40.6 and 272% doses/ejaculate, respectively. Semen volume, individual sperm motility and post-thawing sperm motility were not affected by different seasons (P>0.05). Whereas, the significant reduction of sperm concentration (P<0.05), total sperm number (P<0.01) and frozen semen production (P<0.01) were observed in the dry season as compared to the rainy season. The minor change in ambient temperature, maximum ambient temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index were detected between seasons. On the other hand, about 52% greater sunshine duration was detected in the dry season compared to the rainy season. In conclusion, the semen quality of Pasundan bulls is reduced during the dry season, which is considerably associated with the increase in sunshine duration.

Highlights

Beef is a nutrient-dense food that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and bioactive components for humans (Mwangi et al, 2019)
The high Indonesian national beef demand is still cannot be fulfilled by the productivity of local cattle
The success of Artificial Insemination (AI) highly depends on the semen quality, in which it may significantly associate with the environmental factor

Summary

Introduction

Beef is a nutrient-dense food that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and bioactive components for humans (Mwangi et al, 2019). Beef demand in Indonesia is increased year by year. In 2009, beef consumption by Indonesian society was 0.31 kg/capita/year, while in 2018, the beef consumption was increased up to 0.47 kg/capita/year (DGLAH, 2014; 2018). The high Indonesian national beef demand is still cannot be fulfilled by the productivity of local cattle. As stated by (Agus and Widi, 2018), about 55% of beef demand is still supplied from imported cattle. This condition mostly due to the relatively low population of local cattle so that they could not produce enough beef for society. The use of biotechnology becomes a crucial strategy to increase the local cattle population

Objectives

Methods

Results