Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part S (2024)

Author(s): PM Kapale, GM Gadegaonkar, AS Nagvekar, SD Ingole, SV Bharucha, KN Pawankar and SY Shirale

Abstract: The current research aimed to evaluate the impact of seasons (winter, summer, and monsoon) on seminal proteins and testosterone levels in Holstein Friesian × Gir crossbred breeding bulls. A total of 96 ejaculates were collected using the artificial vaginal method from eight Holstein Friesian × Gir breeding bulls with 50% and 75% exotic inheritance over a one-year period, categorized into three seasons. Semen analysis was conducted on both fresh semen and semen diluted with the standard TEYC extender. The seminal plasma testosterone concentration in fresh semen samples exhibited statistically significant differences across different seasons (p<0.05). The highest concentration of seminal plasma testosterone was recorded during the summer season, while the lowest concentration was noted during winter. Seminal plasma proteins, ranging from 10 to 205 kDa, were observed in fresh, diluted, and frozen semen samples. Although all bulls displayed the same pattern of protein bands, variations in protein concentrations were attributed to seasonal differences. In conclusion, the study revealed significant variations in some seminal plasma testosterone levels among seasons in Holstein Friesian crossbred breeding bulls in both fresh and cryopreserved semen samples. These findings highlight the vulnerability of these animals to changes in environmental temperature, emphasizing the need for effective management practices to mitigate the impact of heat stress and enhance fertility in breeding bulls with exotic inheritance. A better cry opreservative should be used to preserve the semen of the crossbred animals.