Breeding soundness evaluation of extensively managed bulls in Costa Rica

Effect of age on spermiogram of Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal crossbred bulls

“…Higher incidences of breeding unsoundness in B. indicus 3 B. taurus bulls as compared with either B. indicus or B. taurus (Mathew et al, 1982;Usmani et al, 1993;Chacó n et al, 1999) and very higher reproductive wastage rate in crossbred dairy bulls (Mathew et al, 1982;Sagdeo et al, 1990 andTyagi et al, 2006) have also been reported earlier. Mal adaptation of n 5 number of ejaculates; young (age up to 30 months), adult (31 to 70 months in age); column wise means with in a group with different superscripts differed significantly (a, b for P , 0.05, A, B for P , 0.01).…”

“…Production of required doses of quality frozen semen from crossbred bulls maintained under tropical environment is a serious problem and as many as 60% of Bos indicus 3 Bos taurus crossbred (dairy) bulls are rejected from frozen semen production stations either because of poor semen quality or unsatisfactory freezability (Mathew et al, 1982;Sagdeo et al, 1990;Tyagi et al, 2006). Breeding unsoundness in B. indicus 3 B. taurus crossbred (beef and dual purpose) was the highest (46%) as compared with either B. indicus or B. taurus bulls maintained at tropical environment of Costa Rica and crossbred bulls had highest sperm abnormalities as compared with either B. indicus or B. taurus (Chacó n et al, 1999) breeds. Most of the studies concerned with reproductive unsoundness in crossbred bulls have reported about lower scrotal circumference, pathological conditions of primary and secondary sex organs and deviations in the spermiogram (Carter et al, 1980;Chenoweth et al, 1992 andChacó n et al, 1999) as major reasons of poor performance.…”

“…Breeding unsoundness in B. indicus 3 B. taurus crossbred (beef and dual purpose) was the highest (46%) as compared with either B. indicus or B. taurus bulls maintained at tropical environment of Costa Rica and crossbred bulls had highest sperm abnormalities as compared with either B. indicus or B. taurus (Chacó n et al, 1999) breeds. Most of the studies concerned with reproductive unsoundness in crossbred bulls have reported about lower scrotal circumference, pathological conditions of primary and secondary sex organs and deviations in the spermiogram (Carter et al, 1980;Chenoweth et al, 1992 andChacó n et al, 1999) as major reasons of poor performance. Total abnormal sperm percent or presence of any single types of abnormal sperms in higher frequencies are often considered as one of the most important criteria for breeding unsoundness and poor fertility.…”

“…Thus, assessment of sperm morphology before and during semen collection/breeding programme always remains an important aspect for AI industry. Available literatures on spermiogram of B. indicus 3 B. taurus crossbred bulls revealed information mostly on the incidence of total head, mid piece, tail abnormalities and with one or two other kinds of specific abnormalities (Prasad et al, 1990;Chacó n et al, 1999;Sori et al, 2006). There is lack of information on detailed accounts of occurrences of different types of sperm aberrations in crossbred bulls maintained under tropical environment.…”

“…There is lack of information on detailed accounts of occurrences of different types of sperm aberrations in crossbred bulls maintained under tropical environment. At younger age semen quality is inferior and there is higher incidence of sperm abnormalities than mature bulls (Kumi-Diaka et al, 1981;Troconiz et al, 1991;Chacó n et al, 1999), however, information on age-related changes on spermiogram of B. indicus 3 B. taurus crossbred bulls are inadequate and their problems on higher prevalence of morphologically abnormal sperms, poor semen quality and freezability have not been investigated extensively.…”