Limousin Bulls Research Articles

Management of conformational entropion in a Limousin bull

AbstractAn 18‐month‐old Limousin bull presented for assessment of chronic but deteriorating bilateral epiphora and blepharospasm. Halter restraint had been observed to result in exacerbation of clinical signs, which had first been recognised within the show ring. Examination in first opinion practice had failed to identify an underlying aetiology. Following referral, ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral lower entropion and trichiasis. Entropion is extensively reported in companion animal species, but little information regarding entropion in cattle, and its management, exist. A lateralised Celsus–Hotz procedure completed under regional anaesthesia and standing sedation was successful in resolving clinical signs. At 24 months post procedure, clinical signs had not recurred.

What is your diagnosis: Acute hemolysis in a Limousin bull.

What is your diagnosis: Acute hemolysis in a Limousin bull.

Unraveling the Complexities of Beef Marination: Effect of Marinating Time, Marination Treatments, and Breed.

The present study focused on evaluating the effects of beef marination on quality traits and consumer acceptability. In this context, m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum and m. semimembranosus samples (n = 192) were obtained from Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Charolais, and Limousine bulls and were marinated with milk (pasteurized, 100%), garlic and olive oil (2.35 g/500 mL), and lemon (citrus) juice (31% orange juice, 31% lemon juice, 38% distilled water) for 12, 24, and 72 h. Marinade components were selected based on traditional culinary practices and their scientifically proven effects on meat quality. Beef samples on day 0 and non-marinated samples were used as control groups. Beef color, water holding capacity, pH, cooking loss, and Warner-Bratzler shear force were measured three times for each sample. A taste panel assessment was performed to determine the sensory characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed using general linear model (GLM) procedures followed by Tukey's post-hoc comparison. Results revealed that marination time, as well as its two- and three-way interactions, significantly influenced beef quality parameters. These results indicate that the cattle breed is an important factor in evaluating the effectiveness of beef marination applications. The olive oil-garlic marinade was the most preferred by the panel across both types of muscle, as indicated by sensory evaluation results. The findings will not only enrich the scientific literature but also have practical implications for the beef industry.

Evaluation of Body Measurements of Limousin Young Bulls by Principal Component Analysis

The aim of this study was to analyse how body measurements, live weight and age in young Limousin bulls are interrelated, and what ratio of the phenotype variance can be explained by a group of them, so what traits should be considered in early selection. Body measures of 8-9 months old Limousin young bulls (n=610) in two consecutive years from 32 Hungarian farms were registered, and their covariance structure was studied by principal component analysis. Two components were defined, explaining 71.58% of the total variance. The first component was composed of live weight and body measures; the second component contained age. Live weight, withers’ height and hip height measures had highly definitive effect in the first component. Length of back, width at shoulders, and width at hip bone measurements had lower, but still significant effects. Eigenvalue of the first component had been very high, with 58.36% eigenvalue variance. Only effect of age proved to be highly significant in the second component, with an eigenvalue variance 13.22%. As age contributes less, if correction is needed for transforming results of individuals comparable, then it is advised to be based on live weight. Registered body measurements could be considered together in selection decisions, not needless to take all separately.

Рост и развитие бычков лимузинской породы различных генотипов в постнатальном онтогенезе

The purpose of research is to study the growth and development of Limousin bulls of various genotypes in postnatal ontogenesis. Objectives: to study of weight growth, absolute, average daily gains in live weight and relative growth rate of young animals by age periods and for the entire period of growing and fattening; to study of the linear growth of bulls in postnatal ontogenesis based on the dynamics of body measurements and body composition indices. The objects of the study are bulls of the Limousin breed of various genotypes obtained from the mating of cows of French, Australian and local selection with bulls of local reproduction. The scientific and economic experiment was carried out in 2021–2022 at LLC Meat Union of Bashkir Producers, located in the Kuyurgazinsky District of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Indicators of live weight dynamics, live weight gain, relative growth rate, body measurements and body composition indices in the age aspect were studied. Research of the weight growth of young animals of various genotypes made it possible to identify significant differences in terms of absolute and average daily gain in live weight for the entire period of growing and fattening between bulls of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups, respectively, by 32.5 kg and 59.7 g (in both cases – by 6.2 %). The highest values of measurements, indicating the formation of meat qualities and body shape, were noted in bulls of the 1st group compared with peers of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups. Breeding animals for a long period under different housing and feeding technologies influences the characteristics of the growth and development of the descendants of local reproduction of Limousin breed cattle.

Tyrosine Kinase Gene Polymorphisms in Limousin (Bos taurus) Bull Correlation with Fresh Semen Qualities

Tirosin kinase (TEK) merupakan salah satu protein pada membran plasma spermatozoa berfungsi sebagai mediator pertemuan antara spermatozoa dengan sel telur pada zona pelusida 3 (ZP3). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis adanya variasi gen tirosin kinase spermatozoa pada semen segar sapi limousin jantan menggunakan metode Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) berdasarkan hasil fragmen DNA yang menggunakan enzim restriksi HindIII. Penelitian ini menggunakan 20 sampel darah dan semen segar yang didapat dari Balai Besar Inseminasi Buatan Singosari, Malang. Amplifikasi DNA dilakukan dengan metode PCR menggunakan primer forward (TEK_F) 5’-TAGATTGTCGCTTGCCTGGG-3’ dan reverse (TEK_R) 5’-CCTGTGCCGACAGGTTTACT-3’. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menghitung jumlah fragmen DNA yang terbentuk dan korelasinya terkait kualitas semen segar dianalisis dengan uji Spearman. Variasi gen tirosin kinase ditunjukkan dengan terbentuknya fragmen DNA. Fragmen DNA polimorfik berada pada kisaran 136 bp, 88 bp, 72 bp, dan 12 bp, sedangkan fragmen DNA monomorfik berada pada kisaran 39 bp. Koefisien korelasi (r) antara jumlah fragmen DNA pada RFLP dengan pH semen bernilai -0,158 (tidak searah) dengan nilai signifikansi 0,912; volume semen bernilai -0.105 (tidak searah) dengan nilai signifikansi 0,659; motilitas spermatozoa bernilai -0,050 (tidak searah) dengan nilai signifikansi 0,831; dan konsentrasi spermatozoa 0,044 (searah) dengan nilai signifikansi 0,852. Jumlah fragmen DNA pada RFLP dengan beberapa parameter uji kualitas semen segar tersebut memiliki korelasi sangat rendah dan tidak signifikan (signifikansi >0,05).

BADANIA PORÓWNAWCZE UŻYTKOWOŚCI ROZPŁODOWEJ I MIĘSNEJ LOKALNEJ RASY BYDŁA POLSKIEGO CZERWONEGO Z RASĄ LIMOUSIN POCHODZENIA POLSKIEGO I FRANCUSKIEGO

The aim of the study was to compare of the reproductive and meat performance of meat breeds, such as the local Polish Red cattle and the Limousine cattle breed, which is dominant in Poland. The examined individuals of the Limousine breed, which were divided into two groups depending on the origin of the parents, the so-called Polish and French. The criterion for assigning the animals to the group of Polish origin was that the tested bulls did not have in their pedigree a descendant of the French line for two generations. Three groups of fatteners with 138 Polish Red bulls and 447 French and 478 Polish Limousin bulls were used to assess meat performance. All animals were kept in an extensive production system, using the pasture at will throughout the year, during the so-called peak season. At the end, they were fed additionally with haylage and concentrated feed. Reproductive parameters (type of calving and viability of calves) were assessed in 348 Polish Limousin cows, 367 French cows and 289 Polish Red cows. Calves were observed and measured throughout their life cycle from birth to slaughter. In the as- sessment of the utility value of meat, reference features were taken into account, e.g. body weight after calving, body weight at 210 and 420 days of age and gains, height at withers and chest circumference, and conformation assessment. The PRC group showed significantly greater ease of calving and vitality of calves compared to both groups of limousines. Calf and adult body weight measurements at 210 and 420 days were significantly higher in French Limousine cattle. Differences in body weight and gain were significant. There was a slight difference in height between Polish and French bulls. Native breed cattle were characterized by very good reproductive parameters and satisfactory meat performance charac- teristics in relation to the use of grassland fodder. Beef producers can be successfully recommended to use Polish Red cattle for meat purposes in an extensive production system.

Polymorphism in the Mitochondrial Cytochrome B of Crossbred Madura-Limousine Cattle

Madura cattle breeders in rural Indonesia prefer to request artificial insemination services for their cows with Limousin bull's freeze-thawed semen. However, crossbred Madura-Limousin (Madrasin) bulls reported a high infertility rate. This study aimed to identify the mutation of cytochrome b (Cytb) mtDNA in Madura-Limousin crossbred cattle to develop a fundamental breeding approach that would promote animal protein production and preserve the genetics of purebred Madura cattle. Blood samples were collected from the two bulls of crossbred Madura-Limousin, purebred Madura, and Limousin bulls for DNA analysis. The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the Cytb mtDNA, which was then sequenced using the Sanger method. The MEGA 7.0 software was used with the neighbor-joining method to construct the phylogenetic tree. Compared to the purebred Madura cattle and purebred Limousin bulls, the crossbred Madura-Limousin bulls (also known as Madrasin) exhibited alterations in their nucleotide sequence as follows: Deletion of Adenine (number 37), mutation Guanine (66) to Cytosine, Thymine (73) to Cytosine, Guanine (78) to Adenine, Cytosine (84) to Guanine, Thymine (85) to Cytosine, Thymine (99) to Cytosine, Adenine (105) to Guanine, Adenine (114) to Guanine, Cytosine (126) to Thymine, Cytosine (141) to Thymine, and Adenine (144) to Cytosine, resulting in corresponding changes in the deletion of amino acid Isoleucine (position number 11) and mutation of Isoleucine (34) to Methionine. As observed in the resulting clades, the purebred Madura and Limousin cattle were grouped, while Madrasin crossbred cattle were separated. It could be concluded that Madrasin bulls exhibited alterations in their nucleotide and protein sequences of Cytb mtDNA, placing them in a distinct group from purebred Madura cattle and Limousin bulls.

Frozen Semen Characteristics of Limousin Bull at Different Ages

Frozen Semen Characteristics of Limousin Bull at Different Ages

DEVELOPING MEAT PRODUCTIVITY IN BULL CALVES OF DIFFERENT DGAT1 GENOTYPES

The given research aims to study the way meat productivity in special-purpose beef bull calves of different DGAT1 genotypes is developed. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that an assessment of the meat productivity of Hereford and Limousin bulls of different DGAT1 genotypes was conducted for the first time. Calves were cultivated using elements of resource-saving technology. The research subject was Hereford male young stock (91 heads) and Limousin bull calves (109 heads), which were genotyped by SNP DGAT1-K232A. Live weight, average daily gains, and body size and conformation indices were analyzed. Hematological values and carcass quality of bull calves of different genotypes were studied. As a result of genotyping, young animals of both breeds had a similar distribution of genotypes (DGAT1KK>DGAT1KA>DGAT1AA) and alleles (DGAT1K>DGAT1A). There was no effect of the studied gene polymorphism on growth, body development, and hematological parameters, as bull calves of different DGAT1 genotypes did not show a significant difference between weight and linear growth, blood morphological parameters, the content of protein, and its fractions. SNP DGAT1-K232A was found to affect fat deposition. Thus, carcasses of both studied breeds of DGAT1K genotype had a significantly higher content of internal raw fat, and fat yield was (P<0.05) than carcasses of DGAT1AA genotype bull calves. Therefore, genotyping by SNP DGAT1-K232A can be used in the selection of special-purpose beef cattle as an additional criterion to produce meat of a higher energy value.

PENGARUH BREED TERHADAP MOTILITAS SPERMA SAPI LOKAL INDONESIA DAN Bos taurus DI BALAI INSEMINASI BUATAN (Effect breeds on sperm motility of indonesian local bulls and bos taurus at Artificial Insemination Center)

The attempt to achieved the goal could be through using artificial insemination (AI) by frozen semen. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the breed on sperm motility using Madura, Bali bulls and Bos taurus frozen semen. The experiment used local bull frozen semen (Madura and Bali bull breeds) and Bos taurus bull (Simmental and Limousin breeds) produced by Singosari’s artificial insemination center. Sperm motility evaluation was conducted using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA, Spermvision, Minitube®, Germany). The analyzing data uses a generalized linear model, one-way ANOVA using the SPSS 26 software. Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) was used to determine any significant differences. The result shows for total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) are 63.89±1.72% and 54.38±4.39% (Madura bull), 51.48±3.30% and 42.47±5.48% (Bali bull), 58.21±1.13% and 44.38±3.15% (Simmental bull), also 58.12±1.64% and 51.49±3.03% (Limousin bull). There is no differential sperm motility (P>0.005) in both parameters for all breeds. All frozen semen used in this study qualifies with Indonesian National Standards and is approved for use in the artificial insemination program.

Health and welfare assessment of beef cattle during the adaptation period in a specialized commercial fattening unit

Beef cattle welfare and health status are influenced by housing and management systems. The present study aimed to assess the welfare and health status in the first 15 days after arrival of Limousine bulls imported from France and fattened in a commercial fattening unit in Italy. A total of 264 bulls were included in the study. Welfare, biosecurity, and major hazard and warning system were assessed on days 2 (T1) and 15 (T2) after arrival to the unit. At T1 and T2 an inspective clinical examination was performed on all bulls. At T1 and T2 blood samples were collected from 88 bulls for haematological analysis. Both at T1 and T2, the welfare, biosecurity, and major hazards and warning systems were classified with a general score of medium but with a decrease on animal-based measurements in T2. At T1 and T2 the clinical examination revealed a significant increase (p-value≤0.05) of skin lesions and lameness in T2. A high incidence of respiratory disease was noticed in both assessed times. Leucocytes and all differentials count, and platelets were significantly increased (p-value≤0.05) at T2, while the fibrinogen was significantly decreased. The haematological changes suggest that the bulls were under higher stress in T2 when compared with T1 linked with a difficult adaptation response to the fattening unit. A multi-factorial approach that integrates the indicators of the checklist and the clinical and haematological findings of animals can be a useful method to deepen the assessment of welfare in beef cattle.

Estimation of carcass chemical composition in beef-on-dairy cattle using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of cold half-carcass or 11th rib cut

Abstract The aim of the present study was to estimate the chemical composition (water, lipid, protein, mineral, and energy contents) of carcasses measured postmortem using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of cold half-carcass or 11th rib cut. One hundred and twenty beef-on-dairy (dam: Swiss Brown, sire: Angus, Limousin, or Simmental) bulls (n = 66), heifers (n = 42), and steers (n = 12) were included in the study. The reference carcass composition measured after grinding, homogenization, and chemical analyses was estimated from DXA variables using simple or multiple linear regressions with model training on 70% (n = 84) and validation on 30% (n = 36) of the observations. In the validation step, the estimates of water and protein masses from the half-carcass (R2 = 0.998 and 0.997; root mean square error of prediction [RMSEP], 1.0 and 0.5 kg, respectively) and 11th rib DXA scans (R2 = 0.997 and 0.996; RMSEP, 1.5 and 0.5 kg, respectively) were precise. Lipid mass was estimated precisely from the half-carcass DXA scan (R2 = 0.990; RMSEP = 1.0 kg) with a slightly lower precision from the 11th rib DXA scan (R2 = 0.968; RMSEP = 1.7 kg). Mineral mass was estimated from half-carcass (R² = 0.975 and RMSEP = 0.3 kg) and 11th rib DXA scans (R2 = 0.947 and RMSEP = 0.4 kg). For the energy content, the R2 values ranged from 0.989 (11th rib DXA scan) to 0.996 (half-carcass DXA scan), and the RMSEP ranged from 36 (half-carcass) to 55 MJ (11th rib). The proportions of water, lipids, and energy in the carcasses were also precisely estimated (R2 ≥ 0.882) using either the half-carcass (RMSEP ≤ 1.0%) or 11th rib-cut DXA scans (RMSEP ≤ 1.3%). Precision was lower for the protein and mineral proportions (R2 ≤ 0.794, RMSEP ≤ 0.5%). The cattle category (sex and breed of sire) effect was observed only in some estimative models for proportions from the 11th rib cut. In conclusion, DXA imaging of either a cold half-carcass or 11th rib cut is a precise method for estimating the chemical composition of carcasses from beef-on-dairy cattle.

Response to ad libitum milk allowance by crossbred dairy and dairy-beef calves in an automated feeding system.

The objective of this study was to compare three-breed rotational crossbred calves sired by Holstein, Jersey, Montbéliarde, Normande, Viking Red, and Limousin bulls with Holstein's calves fed a high milk allowance for growth, milk consumption, health scores, and profitability in an automated group feeding system. Breed groups were Holstein (n = 16), crossbreds of Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and Holstein (n = 24), crossbreds of Jersey, Normande, and Viking Red (n = 6), and Limousin crossbred beef × dairy (n = 45) calves. Calves were randomly assigned within the breed to one of two treatments from September 2019 to June 2020 at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN. The five breed groups were balanced across the two treatment groups. Treatment groups were fed 8 L/d (8 L) or ad libitum (AL) milk allowance, and calves were introduced to the automated feeder at day 5 and were weaned at 56 d. Milk feeding behaviors (drinking speeds) were collected from the automatic feeding system and analyzed by feeding and breed groups. Body weights were recorded at birth and weekly through weaning. The health scores of calves were recorded twice per week. Variables included in the statistical model for analyses were fixed effects of birthweight, the season of birth, breed group, and treatment group. Calves fed AL had a greater weaning weight (P = 0.001; 106.4 kg vs. 91.4 kg) and greater (P = 0.001) average daily gain (ADG; 1.11 kg/d vs. 0.87 kg/d) than calves fed 8 L, respectively. The calves fed AL (1,064 mL/min) had a slower drinking speed (P = 0.01) than calves fed 8 L (1,467 mL/min). Most breed groups were not different for weaning weight or ADG across the 56 d. Daily milk consumption per calf was lower (P = 0.009) for Limousin crossbred calves compared with Holstein and crossbred dairy calves. As expected, AL calves had higher (P = 0.001) milk cost ($189.52) than the 8 L calves ($140.71). The average cost per kilogram of gain was similar for calves fed 8 L ($2.89/kg) compared to AL ($3.00/kg) calves. Overall, the Limousin crossbred calves had the least milk cost ($152.75) compared with Holstein ($175.67) calves and Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and Holstein crossbred calves ($177.13). The results from this study found that although feeding calves AL resulted in greater milk consumption and higher cost than 8 L calves, there may be an economic advantage with costs per kilogram of gain to feeding calves ad libitum if increased growth rates are realized.

Nutritional and energy value of muscle tissue of Limousine bulls of different genotypes

The article presents the results of a comparative study of the nutritional and energy value of beef obtained from bull calves of different genotypes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional and energy value of beef obtained from Limousin bulls of different genotypes. The research objects were half carcasses obtained as a result of control slaughter of Limousin breed bull calves, descendants of mothers of different origin, bred in the Kuyurgazinsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the "Meat Union of Bashkir producers" Ltd. The bull calves were raised according to the cow-calf system, weaning from mothers was carried out at the age of 8 months before stabling, then growing up, the first and second periods of fattening were carried out. Control slaughter of bull calves was carried out when they reached the required meat condition at the age of 18 months. In the course of the studies of dry matter, protein, extracted fat and energy value of carcass muscle tissue, a significant increase in the dry matter, protein, extracted fat, and energy content was observed (p≤0.05) 8.8kg higher performance of bull calves with mothers of French origin compared to carcasses of bull calves from mothers of Australian origin (11.8%), at 5.3kg (12.8%), at 3.1 kg (10.1%) and at 248.6 MJ (12.8%) accordingly. Based on the data obtained, it can be assumed that the breeding of animals for a long period of time under conditions of different housing and feeding technologies influences the chemical composition characteristics and the energy value of the meat of the representatives of the Limousin cattle breed studied.

Slaughter qualities and by-product yield in Limousin bull calves of different genotypes

The study aimed to provide a comparative analysis of post- slaughter performance and by-product yield obtained from purebred Limousin bull calves of different genotypes. The purposes of the study were to fatten bull calves, offspring of mothers of different origin, as well as carcasses and by-products obtained as a result of their control slaughter. The bull calves were raised according to the technology of beef cattle breeding with elements of resource saving. The control slaughter of the bull calves was carried out when they reached the required meat condition at the age of 18 months. In the course of the research, it was established that the bull calves obtained from mothers of French selection significantly exceeded (p˂0.01) the peers obtained from mothers of Australian origin in live pre- slaughter weight of 34.6 kg (6.5%), in carcass weight of 30.8 kg (9.8%); in slaughter weight of 30,6 kg (9.4%). Bulls derived from local selection mothers had significantly (p˂0.05) higher slaughter weight by 16.3 kg (4.4%) compared to peers whose mothers were of Australian origin. Significant differences between groups in weight and yield of byproducts were not revealed; however, there was a tendency to increase the weight of organs in the groups of animals with high preslaughter live weight (bull calves of the first and third experimental groups). Based on the obtained data, it can be assumed that breeding of the ancestors of the studied animals for a long period of time under conditions of different breeding, housing and feeding technologies influences the meat qualities of carcasses obtained by their offspring, Limousin bull calves, which are descendants of mothers of different origin.

WPŁYW GENOTYPU I PŁCI NA WARTOŚĆ RZEŹNĄ MŁODEGO BYDŁA OPASOWEGO SKUPOWANEGO PRZEZ JEDEN Z KRAJOWYCH ZAKŁADÓW PRZEMYSŁU MIĘSNEGO

The quality of beef is determined, among others, by factors such as breed, age and sex of slaughtered animals and fattening intensity. The aim of the study was to assess carcass quality of young cattle purchased by a selected domestic meat processing plant. The study included a group of 300 bulls and 300 heifers with selected genotypes (Limousine breed; crossbreds – Charolaise, Limousine, Simental × Polish Holstein-Friesian; Polish Holstein-Friesian breed). The following were determined for each animal: body weight before slaughter (kg), hot carcass weight (kg), hot carcass quality index (%), carcass conformation class and carcass fatness class according to the EUROP system. The mean body weight of slaughtered animals was found to be 650 kg. Carcass yield of the assessed young cattle was on average 54%. Carcasses of bulls (non-castrated males) were on aver- age 90 kg heavier and had 3 pp. higher carcass yield than carcasses of uncalved females (P < 0.05). The conformation classes of the EUROP system showed that almost 48% of the carcasses of young Limousine bulls reached the highest classes, i.e. E− and U. Limousine bulls (57.2%) had the highest carcass yield among the determined genotypic groups. The desired lowest degree of fatness was found in carcasses of bulls of all genotypes (an average of 2.9 points).

Seasonal effect on semen quality of Limousine and Simmental bulls

This study aimed to determine the effect of breed and season on the semen quality of AI bulls. The material used was n= 78,648 records of ejaculated semen from 85 Limousine and 88 Simmental bulls collected between period 2010 and 2020. Semen qualities evaluated in the study were: ejaculate vol-ume (Vol), pH, individual sperm motility (ISM), sperm concentration (SC), and post-thawing motility (PTM). The data was analyzed by using a MIXED model with breeds and seasons as fixed effects and animals as random effects. The seasons were significant (p<0,05) on Vol, ISM, SC, and PTM, then the interaction between season and breed was affected on Vol, SC, and PTM. Simmental bulls generally showed better semen qualities than Limousine bulls. Further, the same result showed significant differ-ences in each season. The Vol, ISM, SC, and PTM of Simmental were 6.48 ± 1.26, 64.22 ± 1.16, 1,108 ± 0.46, and 42.19 ± 0.38, respectively. The increase of Vol and SC in the humid season has not propor-tionally affected ISM.

Assessment of sperm acrosome status, malondialdehyde and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme concentration of frozen semen from Limousin and Simmental bulls in different commercial diluents

Sperm cryopreservation is the process of preserving sperm cells at low temperatures, so that its frozen semen can be used in the future. The quality of the frozen sperm is affected by the diluent. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of commercial diluents on acrosome status, malondialdehyde (MDA) and aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) enzyme concentration of thawed Limousin and Simmental bull semen. Semen was collected twice weekly using an artificial vagina. The fresh semen processed into frozen semen had sperm motility of 70%. The one-step procedure was used for the dilution methods. Andromed®, Optixcell® and Steridyl® were used as diluents. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey HSD 5% confidence interval. The result showed no interaction (P0.05) between two factors on acrosome status. The sperm acrosome damage of Simmental in Steridyl® was significantly lower than others (P0.05), although all diluents showed low sperm acrosome damage. Also, no interaction between the type of diluent and breed on MDA and AspAT enzyme concentrations was detected (P0.05). The results suggest that three commercial diluents have equal efficacy in protecting acrosome status and maintaining MDA and AspAT enzyme concentrations of frozen Limousin and Simmental bull semen. Therefore, all commercial diluents can be an alternative for Limousin and Simmental frozen semen.

The Quality of Frozen Semen of Limousin Bull in Various Semen Diluents

Diluents are substances added to the semen to increase the semen volume, reduce sperm density, and maintain sperm viability. This study aimed to compare the effects of various semen diluents on the quality of frozen semen of Limousin bull. Three mature Limousin bulls were used as semen sources. The semen was collected using an artificial vagina and then evaluated for its quality. Sperms with motility less than 70% and abnormality greater than 20% were excluded from this study. After semen evaluation, each ejaculate was individually divided into four equal tubes and diluted with skimmed milk-egg yolk (SMEY), Tris–egg yolk (TEY), Tris–egg yolk–skimmed milk (TEYSM), or Andromed®. Diluted semen was loaded into a mini straw and then equilibrated at 5 °C for 4 h. Following equilibration, the straws were frozen. The percentages of sperm motility, viability, intact membrane, and sperm DNA integrity were evaluated after freezing. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme concentrations were assessed after thawing. The sperm motility with TEY, TEYSM, and Andromed® did not differ significantly but was higher than with SMEY. Sperm viability, membrane intactness, and sperm DNA integrity did not differ among treatments. By contrast, the MDA levels and concentration of AST in the Andromed® diluent semen showed the lowest values compared with SMEY semen (p<0.05) but did not differ from those of TEY and TEYSM semen. To conclude, TEY, TEYSM, and Andromed® diluents performed equally well, and although they showed better results than SMEY, sperm diluted in SMEY are still suitable for artificial insemination.