FR 12. Semen quality of Aberdeen Angus and Ibagé bulls submitted to experimental testicular degeneration

Abstract

Testicular degeneration was induced by dexamethasone injection in bulls from a European breed Aberdeen Angus and a derived synthetic crossbreed (Ibage). In order to investigate differential sensibility on gametogenic function in these breeds. Physical and morphological semen characteristics were evaluated. The data analysed considered the time the semen samples were taken and the breed. Our results reveal that both breeds behave similarly during the experimental period. Even considering the number of bulls used in this experiment, the employed methodology gives no evidence of any difference between the breeds the intensity of degeneration or the time required to the reestablishment of normal sperm pictures after experimental induction of testicular degeneration.