Shelter designing and season affects scrotal thermal profile vis-a-vis semen quality in Frieswal breeding bulls

Abstract

Twenty-four Frieswal bulls (Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal) were randomly distributed according to their housing: animals housed individually in sheds with partition (n = 12; PS) and without partition (n = 12; PW) wall. The present study revealed that the alteration in design of bull housing affected THI leading to changes in scrotal thermal gradient in crossbred Frieswal bulls during different seasons. Scrotal thermal gradient was higher in PW bulls than PS bulls during afternoon period in both the seasons. The semen quality was better in the bulls with higher thermal gradient in well-ventilated sheds during hot-humid season. The season and design of bull housing affected sperm morphology during different seasons. Higher total antioxidant capacity was estimated in the bulls of PW than in bulls of PS during hot-humid season, but no difference was noticed during winter. It was concluded that the season and design of housing can affect scrotal thermal gradient and semen quality in crossbred breeding bulls.