Seminal Attributes, Antioxidant Defense System and Fertility Rate Reveal an Association in Beetal Goat Bucks

Abstract

Semen attributes and their association with fertility in Beetal bucks was assessed. Three ejaculates per buck (n=14) were analyzed for sperm functional tests, malondialdehyde concentration (MDA), antioxidant enzymes. Seminal plasma was analyzed for testosterone and total proteins. A significant (p<0.05) difference in individual motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosome integrity (AI), MDA and antioxidant enzymes among the bucks was observed. There was also a significant (p<0.05) variation in total protein and testosterone levels in seminal plasma. A fertility rate of 100%, 83.3 %, 66.7 % and 50% was found in 3, 4, 5 and 2 bucks, respectively. Bucks were divided into high (G-I, 83.3-100% FR) and low (G-II, 50-66.7% FR) fertile groups. Average sperm concentration, individual motility and viability, were significantly (p<0.05) high in G-I compared to G-II. Average MDA concentration, super oxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase were significantly (p<0.05) high in G-II compared to G-I. Average values of total protein and testosterone were significantly (p<0.05) higher in G-I and G-II, respectively. Study concluded that oxidative stress and testosterone level has an impact on semen quality and fertility of Beetal bucks.