TESTICULAR BIOMETRY AND SPERM PRODUCTION IN HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN AND CROSSBRED BULLS

Abstract

This investigation was undertaken on 11 healthy breeding bulls (4 HF; 4 K x HF; 3 K x J) of 4-6 years age. The assessment of scrotal circumference, testicular dimensions and semen quality was made at monthly intervals over a period of 10 months. The mean values of scrotal circumference and testicular measurements (Length, width, thickness) were found to be significantly greater in HF than the crossbred bulls (40.42; 15.53; 9.47 and 8.45 cm, respectively), yet the seminal attributes did not differ significantly between them, except the individual sperm motility which was lower in K x J (83.67 ± 1.09%) than in K x HF (86.50 ± 54%) HF (87.75 ± 1.05%) bulls. Further, the length, width and thickness of left testes were significantly higher as compared to right testes in all the three genetic groups. Scrotal circumference had positive high and non-significant correlations with the reaction time and the seminal attributes. The reaction time had significant positive correlation only with semen volume, whereas all other correlations among the seminal attributes were positive but insignificant.