Seasonal variation in the characteristics of the swamp buffalo semen of northeast India

Abstract

Different workers have reported better semen quality in buffaloes during hot and humid summer than in colder months, whereas contrary observations were also reported by many workers. Therefore, an initial study was attempted to find out the seasonal effect on semen characteristics of the swamp buffaloes of north eastern India. Data of semen characteristics pertaining to four bulls of four years were used for the study. The semen was collected by artificial vagina and the fresh semen was evaluated as per standard methods. The season was divided into Pre-monsoon (March to May), Monsoon (June to September), Post-monsoon (October to November), and winter (December to January) on the basis of meteorological data of the area. The volume of the semen was significantly (P<0.05) higher during Monsoon in comparison to other seasons. Mass activity, initial motility, per cent livability and sperm concentration did not differ significantly among the seasons. In conclusion, there is no significant effect of season on mass activity, initial motility, percent live sperm and concentration in swamp buffalo semen of north east India except the semen volume.