1. Effect of weekly changes in environmental parameters on sperm motility characteristics of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis Linn.) bulls.
- Author
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Diaz-Usi, J., Venturina, E. V., Peralta, M. D. B., Duran, P. G., Mingala, C. N., Medina, N. P., Baltazar, E., Barroga, A., Rahim, L., and Hufana-Duran, D.
- Subjects
BODY temperature ,WATER buffalo ,SPERM motility ,ATMOSPHERIC pressure ,FROZEN semen ,SEMEN analysis - Abstract
The effects of climate change on the reproduction of water buffaloes need to be checked in order to employ necessary interventions to maintain or improve the management system and achieve optimal semen quality for the nationwide artificial insemination (AI) program. Fourteen (14) Bulgarian Murrah buffalo bulls were used to determine the effects of weekly changes in ambient temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure on the motility characteristics of buffalo sperm cells. Three studies were conducted; 1) Effect of the environmental parameters on motility characteristics of fresh semen, 2) Assessment if the effect of environmental parameters was reflected to the motility characteristics of frozen-thawed spermatozoa, and 3) Assessment of the direct effect of body and scrotal temperature on the motility characteristics of the spermatozoa. In Study 1, correlation analysis showed positive correlation between ambient temperature and motility parameters on distance travelled characteristics and the velocity of movement. Relative humidity had negligible correlation but barometric pressure has significant negative correlation with all the motility parameters except linearity and wobble. In Study 2, the effects of relative humidity and barometric pressure were still distinct in frozen semen but the effect of ambient temperature was negligible. The distance travelled characteristics and velocity of movement including BCF and ALH were negatively affected. THI of 28.5 °C ambient temperature with 82% relative humidity fall to Moderate level of stress and 32.60 °C with 70% relative humidity fall to Severe heat stress level showed significant effect on motility characteristics. Analysis on body and scrotal temperatures of the buffalo bulls showed a difference of 0.94 °C with scrotal temperature lower than body temperature. A significant positive correlation was observed in body and scrotal to ambient temperature and significant negative correlation to barometric pressure. Correlation analysis showed significant positive correlation between testicular temperature and the sperm motility characteristics. Based on the results, it was concluded that in spite of being kept under confinement system of management, high ambient temperature (>28°C), relative humidity (>70%) and low barometric pressure (<1,000 hPA) affect the motility characteristics of water buffalo bulls. Hence, monitoring and intervention to maintain optimal sperm motility characteristics were recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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