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Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and season on semen quality parameters of zebu bulls. Data (1,632 registers) of semen production from Gir (n = 4) and Nelore (n = 15) bulls were collected between October 2005 and November 2009. The ejaculates were collected twice a week during various seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and evaluated for the following semen parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), and sperm morphology. Factor analysis was used to determine the relationship among variables. The effect of breed (Gir and Nelore) and season and their cross effect on each parameter and extracted factor were tested using ANOVA. A negative correlation (P < 0.05) was observed between FPM and proximal droplet, as well as with abnormal loose head, abnormal small head, pouch formation, abnormal mid-peace, and strongly folded tail. Gir bull sperm showed more major defects, detached acrosome, and minor FPM (P < 0.01), whereas Nelore bulls showed a higher number of sperm with normally loose head.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil

    Aline Costa de Lucio, Antonio Sérgio Ferraudo, Leticia Zoccolaro de Oliveira, Adriana Santana do Carmo, William Pereira, Luisa Cunha Carneiro & Vera Fernanda Martins Hossepian de Lima

  2. Alta Genetics do Brasil, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, 38020-970, Brazil

    Solange Almeida & Luis Alfredo Deragon

  3. Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Biologia Reprodutiva Animal, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, 74001-970, Brazil

    Benner Geraldo Alves & Kele Amaral Alves

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  1. Aline Costa de Lucio
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  2. Antonio Sérgio Ferraudo
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Correspondence to Aline Costa de Lucio.

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de Lucio, A.C., Ferraudo, A.S., de Oliveira, L.Z. et al. Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls. Trop Anim Health Prod 46, 765–770 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-014-0561-1

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