Indian Journal of Animal Research

  • Chief EditorK.M.L. Pathak

  • Print ISSN 0367-6722

  • Online ISSN 0976-0555

  • NAAS Rating 6.43

  • SJR 0.263

  • Impact Factor 0.5 (2023)

Frequency :
Monthly (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December)
Indexing Services :
Science Citation Index Expanded, BIOSIS Preview, ISI Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, Scopus, AGRICOLA, Google Scholar, CrossRef, CAB Abstracting Journals, Chemical Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, EBSCO Indexing Services, Index Copernicus
Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 55 issue 7 (july 2021) : 796-800

Testicular Biometry for Breeding Soundness Evaluation of Sahiwal Males Reared under Tropical Conditions

Muzamil Abdullah, T.K. Mohanty, M. Bhakat, A. Kumaresan, A. Singh, S. Mondal, S. Kerketta
1ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, Haryana, India.
Cite article:- Abdullah Muzamil, Mohanty T.K., Bhakat M., Kumaresan A., Singh A., Mondal S., Kerketta S. (2020). Testicular Biometry for Breeding Soundness Evaluation of Sahiwal Males Reared under Tropical Conditions. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 55(7): 796-800. doi: 10.18805/IJAR.B-4117.
Background: The testicular biometry such as scrotal circumference (SC) and scrotal volume, affect semen quality hence bull fertility and thus testicular biometry can be used for breeding soundness of bulls. 
Methods: The present study was carried out to study the testicular parameters of 77 Sahiwal males of different ages and to establish its importance for selection of breeding bulls during 2015-2016 at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. The testicular biometry of each male was done at monthly intervals using Vernier calliper, cloth tap and ultrasonography. 
Result: The semen quality parameters were significantly (P<0.05) more in the group having higher scrotal circumference. The scrotal circumference follows the curvilinear manner of growth from 12 months to >72 months (correlation value of 0.92 and R2 0.84). The paired testicular volume (PTV) differed significantly (P<0.05) between different age group males. Scrotal circumference and paired testicular volume are directly related to semen quality hence bull fertility. Thus, testicular biometry is an important criterion for breeding soundness for selecting Sahiwal males. 
  1. Addass, P.A., Midau, A, Yahya, M.M and Tizhe, M.A. (2013). Genotype variation, age and body condition score on some paired testes measurements among common indigenous bull cattle breeds in Mubi Adamawa State, Nigeria Scholars Research Library, Annals of Biological Research. 4(8): 253-256. 
  2. Ahmad, E., Ahmad, N., Naseer, Z., Aleem, M., Khan, M.S., Ashiq, M. and Younis, M. (2011). Relationship of age to body weight, scrotal circumference, testicular ultrasonograms and semen quality in Sahiwal bulls. Tropical Animal Health Production. 43: 159-164.
  3. Ahmad, M., Asmat, M.T. and Rehman, N.U. (2005). Relationship of testicular size and libido to age and season in Sahiwal bulls. Pakistan Veterinary Journal. 25: 67-70.
  4. Brito, L.F.C., Silva, A.E.D.F., Barbosa, R.T. and Kastelic, J.P. (2004). Testicular thermoregulation in Bos indicus, crossbred and Bos taurus bulls: Relationship with scrotal, testicular vascular cone and testicular morphology and effects on semen quality and sperm production. Theriogenology. 61: 511-528.
  5. Entwistle, K. and Fordyce, G. (2003). Evaluating and Reporting Bull Fertility. Published by Australian Association of Cattle Veterinarians (eoaacv@bigpond.net.au) ISBN 0-9585654- 4-9.
  6. Geske, J., 2003. Breeding Management University of Minnesota Extension service. http://www.extension. umn.edu/beef/ components/ homestudy / lesson3h.PDF. 
  7. Ghoneim, I.M., Shawki, H., Seida, A. A. and El-Wishy, A.B. (1993). Reproductive capacity of buffalo bulls. Scrotal circumference and sperm production. Proceedings of the Second Scientific Congress Egyptian Society for Cattle Diseases. 1: 147-155.
  8. Holroyd, R.G., Bertram, J.D, Doogan, V.J., Fitzpatrick, L.A., Fordyce, G. and Petherick, J.C. (2007). Bull power and beyond maximizing the calf output of bulls. Proceedings, Northern Beef Research Update Conference (Bill Pattie and Barrie Restall, editors), Published by North Australia Beef Research Council, www.nabrc.org.au.
  9. Kastelic, J.P. (2014). Understanding and evaluating bovine testes. Theriogenology. 81(1): 18-23.
  10. Kastelic, J.P., Thundathil, J.C. and Brito, L.F.C. (2012). Bull BSE and semen analysis for predicting bull fertility Clinic. Theriogenology. 4: 277-87.
  11. Lunstra, L.D. and Cundiff, LV. (2003). Growth and pubertal development in Brahman-, Boran-,Tuli-, Blue-, Hereford- and Angus-sired F1bulls. Journal of Animal Science. 81: 1414-1426.
  12. Madrid, N., Noguera, E., Rincon, I., Zambrano, S., Garcia, N., Carrillo, R. and Rincon, R. (1990). Scrotal circumference, puberty, growth and semen traits in crossbred young bulls (50% Brahman, 25% Brown Swiss and 25% indeterminate crossbreds).VI CongresoVenezolano de Zootecnia, San Cristobal, Venezuela.
  13. Mahmood, S.A., Ijaz, A., Ahmad, N., Rehman, H., Zaneb, H. and Farooq, U. (2014). A study on relationships among age, body weight, orchidometry and semen quality parameters in adult cholistani breeding bulls. Journal of Animal and Plant Science. 24(2): 380-384.
  14. Moghaddam, G., Pourseif, M.M., Asadpour, R., Rafat, A.S. and Jafari-Jozani, R. (2012). Relationship between Levels of Peripheral Blood Testosterone, Sexual Behavior, Scrotal Circumference and Seminal Parameters in Crossbred Rams. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, ISSN 1679-9216 (Online).
  15. Pant, H.C., Sharma, P.M., Patel, S.H., Shukla, H.R., Mittal, A.K., Sabiraj, R., Misra, A.K. and Prabhakar, J.H (2003). Testicular development and its relationship to semen production in Murrah buffalo bulls. Theriogenology. 60: 27-34.
  16. Parkinson, T. J. (2004). Evaluation of fertility and infertility in natural service bulls. Veterinary Journal. 168(3): 215-229. 
  17. Rajak, S.K., Kumaresan, A., Gaurav, M.K., Aslam, M., Mohanty, T.K., Prasad, S., Chakravarty, A.K. and Venkatasubramanian, V. (2013). Testicular biometry and semen quality is not altered by the process of fine needle aspiration in crossbred bulls. Indian Journal of Animal Science. 83(7): 732-735.
  18. Sosa, J.M., Senger, P.L. and Reeves, J.J. (2002). Evaluation of American Wagyu sires for scrotal circumference by age and body. Journal of Animal Science. 80: 19-22.
  19. Spitzer, J.C., Hopkins, F.M. and Chenoweth, P.J. (1998). New guidelines for breeding soundness evaluations (BSE) of bulls. BC-2011.
  20. Sprott, L.R., Carpenter, B.B. and Thrift, T.A. (2003). Breeding Soundness of Bulls. Texas Beef Cattle Management Handbook. Texas Agricultural Extension Service. B-6064.
  21. Suri, A.K. (1993). Neonate and pubertal androgen-luteinizing hormone relationship in male calves. Ph.D. Thesis, National Dairy Research Institute, Deemed University, Karnal, Haryana, India. 
  22. Unanian, M.M., Silva, A.E.D., McManus, C. and Cardoso, E.P. (2000). Caracteristicas biometricas testiculares para avaliacao de touros zebuinos da raca Nelore. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia. 29: 136-144.
  23. Waldner, C.L., Kennedy, R.I. and Palmer, C.W. (2010). A description of the findings from bull breeding soundness evaluations and their association with pregnancy outcomes in a study of western Canadian beef herds. Theriogenology. 74: 871-883.
  24. Younis, M., Samad, H.A., Ahmad, N. and Ahmad, I. (2003). Effect of age and season on the body weight, scrotal circumference and libido in Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls maintained at the Semen Production Unit, Qadirabad. Pakistan Veterinary Journal. 23: 59-65.

Editorial Board

View all (0)