Effect of season on the biochemical characteristics of donkey (Equus asinus) semen*

Abstract

The biochemical characteristics of donkey semen were studied during summer, autumn and winter. The mean concentration of glucose in the seminal plasma was significantly higher (P<0.01) during autumn and winter than in summer. The cholesterol was significantly higher (P<0.01) in autumn as compared to summer. There was no significant difference in the total protein and albumin among different seasons. The activity of acid phosphatase was significantly more (P< 0.01) during autumn and winter than in summer, There were differences (P< 0.01) in the activities of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase among seasons. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase was more (P<0.01) in winter than in summer, The activity of alanine aminotransferase during winter was more (P< 0.01) than that of summer and autumn.