A Study of some Factors that may Affect Semen Quantity and Quality as well as Libido in Four Breeds of Dairy Bulls

Binta, Hilary (1994) A Study of some Factors that may Affect Semen Quantity and Quality as well as Libido in Four Breeds of Dairy Bulls. Masters thesis, University of Nairobi.

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Abstract

Artificial insemination, an important applied reproductive technology which is used worldwide in animal breeding has been used in Kenya since 1935. The Central Artificial Insemination Station (C.A.I.S), Kabete was established in 1946. There are about 100 dairy bulls at the station which have been selected based on milk yields of their dams and grand dams. Various factors, which include environment and the bull's anatomy may affect semen quantity and quality. Some work has been done to establish the factors that affect semen quantity and quality especially the effects of environment but scanty information is available about the associations between some reproductive organs of tropical dairy bulls and semen quantity and quality. This study was thus initiated with the aim of studying the interrelationships between age, body weight, scrotal circumference (SC), the size of seminal vesicles, length of cauda epididymis and testicular length on semen quality and quantity. In addition, this study attempted to establish the relationship between plasma testosterone concentrations and reaction time in the four dairy breeds, namely, Ayrshire, Friesian, Jersey and Guernsey kept at C.A.I.S .The study utilized a convenient sample of 98 bulls at the C.A.I.S. Nineteen of these bulls were less than 16 years of age and were not used for semen collection during the study period. Scrotal circumference, testicular length and length of the cauda epididymis were measured using a scrotal tape while the sizes of the seminal vesicles were estimated by rectal palpation. The semen samples were collected from the bulls twice a week using a standard artificial vagina. They were evaluated for volume, spermatozoa motility, concentration, morphology and viability. Blood samples for testosterone assays were collected by middle coccygeal venipuncture and the levels of testosterone in plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Statistical analyses of the gathered data involved computation of descriptive statistics, graphical, correlation and regression analysis as well as analysis of variance.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Geoffrey Obatsa
Date Deposited: 21 Jul 2016 07:04
Last Modified: 21 Jul 2016 07:26
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/749

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