Background and Aim: Various factors can reduce the quality of semen used for artificial insemination and have an impact on fertility decline, such as poor handling during frozen semen distribution. This study was aimed at assessing the quality of frozen-thawed semen after distribution in the field and its importance in maintaining fertility. Materials and Methods: The Brahman Cross (BX) breeding program of PT Lembu Jantan Perkasa, Indonesia, was used. This program was preferred due to its adherence to guidelines that limit the effects of extraneous factors that may affect semen quality. Frozen-thawed semen samples from eight bulls with the same production code were analyzed and compared between the production site (artificial insemination [AI] center) and the field (BX breeding program). Total and progressive motility (PM) of sperm were determined using computer-assisted semen analysis. Plasma membrane integrity (PMI) was assessed using hypoosmotic swelling test, sperm viability using Eosin-Nigrosin staining, acrosome integrity using trypan blue-Giemsa staining, morphological abnormalities using William staining, and DNA fragmentation using toluidine blue staining. The fertility rate was determined using the conception rate (%) derived from AI data based on 502 AI services and 478 cows in the BX breeding program. A t-test was used to compare the quality of frozen-thawed semen before and after distribution. The relationship between the qualities of frozen semen after distribution in the field with fertility was analyzed using Pearson correlation. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the quality of frozen-thawed semen (sperm motility, PMI, viability, acrosome integrity, abnormalities, and DNA fragmentation) between the production site (AI center) and after distribution in the field (BX breeding program). The semen met the minimum standards for AI programs. Total motility (r=0.986), PM (r=0.961), sperm viability (r=0.971), PMI (r=0.986), and acrosome integrity (r=0.992) were all positively correlated (p<0.05) with fertility rate; while sperm abnormalities (r=-0.996) and sperm DNA fragmentation (r=0.975) were negatively correlated (p<0.05) with fertility rate. Conclusion: The study showed that to achieve the maximal and optimal fertility rate in bulls in an AI program, the overall quality of frozen-thawed semen in all aspects is critical. This can be achieved if the handling during distribution and storage, as well as the various factors that may affect the quality of semen in the field, can be controlled properly.

This study aimed to analyze the effect of the age of bulls on sperm motility and DNA fragmentation and its impact on fertility. Ninety-six frozen semen straw from eight bulls were divided into four groups based on age (group-1: 5-6 years; group-2: 7-8 years; group-3: 9-10 years; group-4: 11-12 years). Total and progressive motility were detected by using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), while DNA fragmentation was detected by Toluidine blue staining. Over 500 artificial insemination services in the field were used for fertility rate analysis. The results of the analysis of total motility, progressive, and DNA fragmentation in all age groups still meet the minimum standard for artificial insemination programs. Analysis of progressive motility and DNA fragmentation showed significant differences in each age group (P<0.01), whereas analysis of total motility showed no significant differences in group-2 (7-8 years) and group-3 (9-10 years) (P>0.01). Increased age in bulls correlated significantly with increased sperm DNA fragmentation (P<0.01), decreased total and progressive motility (P<0,01), and potentially reduced the fertility rate (P<0.01). In conclusion, although the quality of frozen semen still meets the standards for artificial insemination programs, the age factor in bulls needs to be considered for achieving maximum fertility.

The study aimed to find out the effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on testosterone level and spermatozoa quality of Etawa crossbreed goat. Goats were divided into two treatment groups, three goats each. Group 1 (K1) was control group which given orally 20 ml of distilled water every morning at 9:00 am for six days, and group 2 (K2) was administered with Eurycoma longifolia with the dose of 90 mg/kg bw in 20 ml of distilled water orally every morning at 9:00 am for six days. The concentration of testosterone was measured on day 1, 3, and 6 using the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The quality of sperm consisted of concentration and percentage of life sperm. The results showed that level of testosterone on K2 increased started from day 1 (9.36 ng/ml) to day 6 (12.43 ng/ml) (P<0.05). The percentage of life spermatozoa increased higher on K2 compare to K1 on day 3 to day 6, that was 88.6 and 89.8% on K1 to 91.0 and 92.7% on K2. In conclusion, the administration of pasak bumi with the dose of 90 mg/kg bw in 20 ml of distilled water for 6 days able to increase testosterone levels and percentage of life sperm of Etawa crossbreed goat.