Seasonal influence on semen traits and freezability from locally adapted Curraleiro bulls

Studies were conducted to characterize the effect of season of the year on testicular morphology, fresh and frozen/thawed semen quality from Curraleiro (Pé-duro) bulls in the Brazilian Central west region. Five adult, healthy bulls underwent an andrological examination and semen collection using an electroejaculator, once a month for a year. Fresh and thawed semen were evaluated for progressive sperm motility and sperm vigor, sperm morphology and acrosomal integrity. Testicular length and volume were less (P < 0.05) in April than in the other months of the year. For fresh semen, the ejaculate in April had less volume and sperm concentration (P < 0.05), while sperm vigor was less (P < 0.05) in June, increasing in January and February. With the frozen/thawed semen, the proportion of sperm was greater (P < 0.05) in April to July, decreasing from October to December. Semen collected in December had the greatest (P < 0.05) proportion of major defects while that collected in February/March had the highest proportion of minor defects. The proportion of live intact sperm reduced progressively from December to April/May. The marginal influence of the time of the year on testicular biometry and fresh semen in Curraleiro bulls shows the adaptation of this breed to the environmental conditions in the region. Thus, reproduction with natural mating should be successful at any time of year. For frozen semen collection for conservation programs, the best time of year is from June to September.