Seasonal variations in testicular consistency, scrotal circumference and spermiogramme parameters of extensively reared Brahman ( Bos indicus) bulls in the tropics

Abstract

Twenty-five mature Brahman ( Bos indicus) extensively reared breeding bulls were clinically examined and electroejaculated at monthly intervals for 13 months to study if testicular consistency (TC), scrotal circumference (SC), sperm motility and morphology show seasonal variation under tropical conditions. Changes in SC were positively related to body condition (BC) ( β=0.7 cm, P<0.001) and age ( P<0.01). These changes were, however, not associated with deviations in TC, sperm motility or morphology ( P>0.05). Sperm motility was higher in samples collected during the breeding season than in samples collected at other times (62 versus 52%, LSM, P<0.01). The frequency of bent tails with cytoplasmic droplet entrapped fluctuated between monthly ejaculates, (LSM range 3–21%, P<0.05). However, there was no relationship between these fluctuations and environmental temperature, rainfall or changes in BC, TC or SC of the bulls ( P>0.05). Other sperm abnormalities did not change significantly during the study period. The absence of a relationship between any of the climatic variables studied and SC, TC and sperm motility or morphology, respectively, indicates that temperature is not a main factor influencing reproductive performance in Brahman bulls in the tropics. On the contrary, the changes found in BC followed by variations in SC suggest that nutrition may be a major factor affecting seasonal variations in male reproductive parameters, especially testicular size, in these sires.