SEASONAL INFLUENCE ON THE QUALITY AND FREEZABILITY OF SEMEN OF SWAMP BUFFALO BULLS

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to record the basic information on seasonal influence on the
quality and freezability of semen of four swamp buffalo bulls maintained at “Network Project
on Swamp Buffalo,†Department of AGB, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Guwahati.
The year was divided into summer (June to August), autumn (September to November),
winter (December to February) and spring (March- May) on the basis of meteorological data
of the area. Each ejaculate was collected biweekly by AV method to record the ejaculate
volume, mass activity, initial sperm motility, sperm concentration, live sperm, total HOST
reacted sperm, live intact acrosome, sperm abnormality percentage. After collection the
semen samples were extended with Tris-egg yolk- citrate glycerol extender before filling in
0.25 ml French straws and assessed the freezability by examining the percentage of
progressively motile spermatozoa. The results revealed that the effect of seasons was found
to be significant for ejaculate volume (P< 0.01), initial sperm motility (P< 0.05), sperm
concentration (P< 0.01), and total head abnormalities (P< 0.05). The ejaculate volume and
sperm concentration was significantly (P<0.01) higher during summer season. The initial
sperm motility was significantly (P<0.01) lower and the incidence of head abnormalities
significantly (P< 0.05) higher during winter season.
Key words: Swamp buffalo bull, seasons, semen characteristics.