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Sexual maturity and spermatogenesis under heat stress in the bovine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

Jorge de Alba  and
Simón Riera‡
Jorge de Alba
Affiliation:
Technical Advisor in Livestock, Banco de México, México 1, D.F., formerly Head, Department of Animal Industry, IICA, Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Simón Riera‡
Affiliation:
Graduate Assistant, IICA, Turrialba, Costa Rica
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Extract

Results are presented of an investigation in which 10 bull calves were subjected to heat stress in a climatic chamber from 26 weeks of age to the age of puberty. A similar group of 8 calves sired by the same bull were simultaneously subjected to ambient temperatures in another chamber. Maximum temperature in the hot chamber was 35–36° C. for 8 hours daily and maximum temperature in the temperate chamber was 27° C.

Observations were made on weight and age at puberty and characteristics of the first five ejaculates obtained from each bull. Post-mortem examinations included: carcass weight, weight of all genital organs, measurement of sperm reserves in testicles and epididymides and histological observations of the seminiferous tubules. The results indicated that the hot temperature exposure retarded fertility but that libido was exhibited at essentially the same intensity by both groups. The quality of semen obtained and the concentration of the spermatozoa were much lower in the bulls subjected to the hot environment during their growth period prior to puberty. The poor quality of semen was associated with impaired spermatogenesis.

It is recommended that in all fertility studies conducted with exotic breeds in the tropics, semen of known uniform quality be used. Natural service should not be used.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , February 1966 , pp. 137 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1966

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References

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