SCROTAL INFRARED DIGITAL THERMOGRAPHY AS AN INDICATOR OF SEASONAL EFFECT ON SEMINAL ATTRIBUTES AND PHYSIO-BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF THARPARKAR AND KARAN FRIES BULLS
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Date
2022
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ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL
Abstract
In order to find out effect of scrotal temperature difference on semen quality and seminal biochemical
parameters, five each of Tharparkar and Karan Fries bulls were selected from Artificial breeding
research centre ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. All the experimental animal were maintained under standard
conditions of feeding and management. The bulls were exercised in bull excerciser once a week to
maintain sexual behavior and ensure quality semen production. The environmental variables in terms
of minimum and maximum temperature, dry and wet temperature, relative humidity etc were recorded
throughout experimental period for calculation of temperature humidity index (THI). Semen samples
were collected from both the breeds of bulls at weekly interval during winter, spring and summer
season. Just after collection semen sample were analyzed for Physical (semen volume, sperm
concentration, mass motility, progressive motility, live sperm percent, HOST, acrosomal integrity and
sperm abnormalities) and biochemical (seminal plasma malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species)
parameters. Infrared thermography of different anatomical sites i.e. scrotum, ocular and muzzle
temperature were recorded at weekly in both the breeds during different season. The physiological
responses (RT and RR) of both the breeds were recorded at weekly interval during different season.
Blood samples were collected at fortnight interval from both the breeds during different seasons. The
plasma samples were analyzed for the levels of blood plasma testosterone and heat shock protein 70.
The temperature gradient between proximal and distal pole of scrotum was significantly (P< 0.05)
lower during summer season. The TG was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Tharparkar
than Karan Fries bulls during summer season. No significant variation was found in the semen
volume during summer season. The sperms mass motility, progressive motility, live sperm %,
hypoosmotic swelling test and acrosomal integrity was found to be significantly (P< 0.05) higher
during spring season than summer season in Karan Fries bulls. All these parameters showed
significantly (P< 0.05) higher values in Tharparkar compared to Karan Fries bulls during winter,
spring and summer season. Whereas, progressive motility was found to be significantly higher (P<
0.05) during spring season in Tharparkar bulls. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher sperm concentration
was observed in Tharparkar than Karan Fries bulls during all three seasons. Whereas, reverse trend
i.e. lower total sperm abnormalities was found in Tharparkar than Karan Fries bulls during different
season. The seminal plasma MDA levels were observed to be significantly higher during summer
season compared to spring and winter season in both the breeds. Further the levels of MDA showed
significantly (P < 0.05) lower levels in Tharparkar than Karan Fries bulls during all three seasons. The
ROS positive sperm cells were observed to be significantly (P < 0.05) lower during spring season
compared to winter and summer in both the breeds. The ROS positive sperm cells are numerically
higher in Karan Fries bulls than Tharparkar bulls during summer season. The rectal temperature and
respiration rate were significantly (P < 0.05) higher during summer season in both the breeds. These
values were found to be significantly higher in Karan Fries bulls than Tharparkar bulls during all the
seasons. The blood plasma testosterone levels were found significantly (P < 0.05) higher during all the
three seasons in Tharparkar compared to Karan Fries bulls. The blood plasma heat shock protein 70
showed significantly higher (P <0.05) levels during summer compared to spring and winter season.
Among the breeds, the levels of HSP70 were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Karan
Fries than Tharparkar bulls during different season. The scrotal temperature gradient showed
significant (P<0.05) positive correlation with mass motility, progressive motility, live sperms %,
HOST, acrosomal integrity and significant (P<0.05) negative correlation with sperm abnormality and
level of testosterone. The THI was found to be inversely correlated with TG and positively correlated
with testosterone and HSP 70. Based on the result obtained it can be concluded that lower scrotal
temperature gradient in Karan Fries compared to Tharparkar bulls affected semen quality negatively
and summer season was more stressful to Karan Fries than Tharparkar bulls. Since scrotal surface
temperature gradient was less in Karan Fries bulls and correspondingly the semen quality was
deteriorated and the level of stress markers (MDA, HSP70, ROS, RT, RR) was also higher indicating
susceptibility of Karan Fries bulls to heat stress compared to Tharparkar bulls.