Assessment of Body Weight and Scrotal Circumference as Determinants of Semen Production Traits in Kankrej Bulls Using a Mixed Model Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.4.11Keywords:
Body weight, Kankrej bulls, Scrotal circumference, Semen traitsAbstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of body weight (BW) and scrotal circumference (SC) at the time of semen collection on semen production traits in Kankrej bulls. A total of 1307 ejaculates collected from 26 Kankrej bulls maintained at the Dama Semen Production Unit, Gujarat, were analyzed. The semen production traits studied included semen volume, sperm concentration, and number of semen doses per ejaculate. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model with Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method, considering BW and SC as fixed effects and bull as a random effect. The overall least squares means for semen volume, sperm concentration, and number of semen doses per ejaculate were estimated as 5.90 ± 0.30 mL, 1302.83 ± 48.66 million/mL, and 335.36 ± 20.58, respectively. BW at semen collection had a highly significant (p<0.01) effect on semen volume and sperm concentration, and a significant (p<0.05) effect on the number of semen doses per ejaculate. Semen volume and number of doses increased with increasing BW, with bulls weighing ≥700 kg producing superior performance. In contrast, sperm concentration decreased with increasing BW, likely due to dilution effects associated with increased seminal plasma. Scrotal circumference significantly (p<0.01) influenced semen volume and sperm concentration but had no significant effect on the number of semen doses per ejaculate. Bulls with larger SC generally exhibited improved semen volume and sperm concentration, although the relationship was not strictly linear. The findings indicate that BW is a more consistent predictor of semen production efficiency, whereas SC is more closely associated with semen quality traits. Incorporating these parameters in selection and management strategies may enhance reproductive efficiency in Kankrej breeding bulls.
Downloads
References
Ali, S. H., Singh, P., Prasad, K. C., Bhakat, M., Mohanty, T. K., Panchabai, G., & Sinha, R. (2021). Sexual behavior and semen quality of crossbred bulls as influenced by flaxseed supplementation and rubber mat flooring. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 17(3), 65–68.
Asad, L., Hussain, S. S., Rahman, M. G. M., Khandoker, M. A. M. Y., Hossain, M. E., & Rahman, M. Z. (2004). Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting the semen quality of bulls. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 7, 1903–1907.
Bhakat, M., Mohanty, T. K., Gupta, A. K., & Abdullah, M. (2014). Effect of various factors on semen production and quality in breeding bulls: A review. Veterinary World, 7(12), 1064–1071.
Brito, L. F. C., Silva, A. E. D. F., Barbosa, R. T., & Kastelic, J. P. (2004). Testicular thermoregulation and its relationship to sperm production and semen quality in bulls. Theriogenology, 61(2–3), 363–377.
Chaudhary, K. F., Suthar, B. N., Suthar, V. S., Nakhashi, H. C., & Joshi, C. G. (2025). Intracytoplasmic motile sperm selection in fresh and frozen semen and its correlation with seminal attributes of Kankrej bull. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 21(2), 80–84.
Chaudhary, P. J., Dhami, A. J., Chaudhari, D. V., Hadiya, K. K., & Patel, J. A. (2017). Comparative study of Gir cattle and Surti buffalo bulls semen under middle Gujarat climate. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 13(1), 56–61.
Dangar, N. S., Brahmkshtri, B. P., Modi, L. C., Ramani, U. V., Kharadi, V. B., Khasatiya, C. T., Pandya, G. M., & Deshmukh, N. (2021). Effect of season and year of birth on pubertal age, body weight and scrotal circumference of Kankrej bulls at first semen collection. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 17(1), 35–38.
Dangar, N. S., Brahmkshtri, B. P., Pandya, G. M., & Deshmukh, N. (2022). Non-genetic factors affecting body weight and scrotal circumference at first semen collection and semen production traits of Kankrej bulls. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 18(3), 63–66.
Gopinathan, A., Sivaselvam, S. N., Karthickeyan, S. M. K., & Kulasekar, K. (2018). Effect of body weight and scrotal circumference on semen production traits in crossbred Holstein Friesian bulls. Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 39(1), 24–27.
NBAGR – National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. (2021). Breed descriptors of Kankrej cattle. Retrieved from https://www.nbagr.icar.gov.in
Prajapati, S. G., Vala, K. B., Singh, V. K., Solanki, G. B., & Chavda, B. P. (2022). Physico-morphological characteristics and oxidative markers of fresh semen of Gir bulls. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 18(4), 104–108.
Ramya, L., Swathi, D., Archana, S. S., Arangasamy, A., Binsila, B. K., Krishnappa, B., & Selvaraju, S. (2024). Expression levels of sperm genes associated with energy production pathways regulate fertility status of bulls. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 20(1), 7–13.
Sarder, M. J. U. (2005). Scrotal circumference variation and semen characteristics of artificial insemination bulls. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4, 335–340.
SAS Institute Inc. (2011). SAS/STAT® 9.3 User’s Guide. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.
Scheffé, H. (1959). The Analysis of Variance. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Sudheer, S. (2000). Relationship between testicular size and seminal attributes in crossbred bulls. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 34, 159–160.
Vijyeta, H. P., Kavani, F. S., Vagh, A. A., Vala, K. B., Savsani, H. H., Kapadiya, P. S., & Raval, R. J. (2024). Physico-morphological attributes, freezability, fertility and their correlations in Jaffarabadi buffalo bull semen. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 20(3), 8–14.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
