NON-GENETIC FACTORS AFFECTING SEMEN QUALITY OF BULLS

Abstract

Cattle are the main livestock species in Bangladesh having over 25 billion population. Artificial insemination is mainly used for breeding. In the present study, a total of 235 ejaculates from 26 bulls were analyzed to evaluate the non-genetic factors of semen quality of bulls in the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm (CCBDF). Among three age groups, adult bulls (72-96 months) produced the highest volume (11.65±0.37ml) and concentration (1372.4±53.94) whereas mass and forward movement was higher in mature (3.43±0.03) and adult (69.44±0.55) respectively. Bull having medium weight (500-750 kg) produced more volume of semen (10.39±0.26ml) but concentration and mass movement was higher in light (up to 500 kg) weight group (1382.1±49.37 and 3.52±0.05) while forward movement recorded higher in heavy weight group (69.72±0.55). Seasonal variation was not significant in the study. Early matured (18-24 months) bulls produced more volume (10.15±0.23ml) but late matured (24-36 months) bulls have more concentration (1402.7±43.14), mass movement (3.46±0.04) and forward movement (68.54±0.45). Thus the study showed that, adult bulls having the body weight up to 500 kg (light) from late matured bulls will produce quality semen in any season in terms of volume, concentration, mass and forward movement.