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Genetic analysis for semen quality traits in buffalo bulls

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Abstract 

This study was attempted to estimate the genetic parameters of semen quality traits in buffalo bulls. The study data consisted of 10975 ejaculates from 45 Murrah buffalo bulls (aged 24–72 months) used for breeding program during year 2010 to 2020. Semen quality traits (ejaculate volume, concentration of sperm, mass activity, initial and post-thaw motility, number of sperms per ejaculate, motile sperm number and discard rates) were studied. It was observed that average ejaculate volume was 2.82 ± 1.45 mL with mean concentration of 1040.12 ± 523.26 million/mL. Higher heritability was observed for number of sperms per ejaculate, number of motile sperm and sperm concentration. Significant phenotypic correlation was obtained between volume and number of sperms per ejaculate as well as volume and number of motile sperms. Likewise, significant phenotypic correlation was evident between sperm concentration with sperm number per ejaculate. Highest phenotypic correlation was obtained between sperm count per ejaculate and motile sperm count. Estimated genetic trends showed significant change in volume and motile sperm number. In conclusion, this study ascertains that genetic parameters of semen traits can be considered during the selection of buffalo bulls in breeding program.

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Data availability

The data used in this study is the property of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. The data can be obtained from the corresponding author on request to the Director, ICAR-CIRB.

Code availability

Could be shared on request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Director, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes as well as for providing facilities for this study.

Funding

This research work was funded by Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India under Project ‘Exploring molecular basis of seasonal variation of seminal attributes and identification of potential biomarkers for selection of buffalo bulls with quality semen (No. BT/PR30439/AAQ/1/743/2019).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India

    Devender Kumar, A. Jerome, Pradeep Kumar, D. Kumar, B Shivani, Renu Bala, Nisha Verma, Satish Nain & R. K. Sharma

  2. College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

    Devender Kumar, J. S. Mehta & Satish Nain

  3. Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India

    C. S. Patil

  4. ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India

    Pawan Singh

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  1. Devender Kumar
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  2. J. S. Mehta
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  3. A. Jerome
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  4. Pradeep Kumar
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  9. Nisha Verma
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Contributions

Devender Kumar: Methodology, Writing – Original Draft. JS Mehta: Conceptualization, Investigation, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft. A Jerome: Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review & Editing. Pradeep Kumar: Investigation, Resources, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft, Project administration. D Kumar: Investigation, Resources, Writing – Original Draft. Shivani: Resources, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft.CS Patil: Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing – Original Draft. Renu Bala: Resources, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft. Nisha Verma: Resources, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft. Satish: Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft. RK Sharma: Investigation, Resources, Supervision. Pawan Singh: Supervision, Funding acquisition, Project administration.

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Correspondence to A. Jerome.

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Kumar, D., Mehta, J.S., Jerome, A. et al. Genetic analysis for semen quality traits in buffalo bulls. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 313 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03756-4

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