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Testicular thermoregulation, scrotal surface temperature patterns and semen quality of water buffalo bulls reared in a tropical climate
Author(s) -
Silva L. K. X.,
Sousa J. S.,
Silva A. O. A.,
Lourenço Junior J. B.,
Faturi C.,
Martorano L. G.,
Franco I. M.,
Pantoja M. H. A.,
Barros D. V.,
Garcia A. R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/and.12836
Subject(s) - thermoregulation , semen , semen quality , sperm , biology , zoology , spermatogenesis , wet bulb globe temperature , andrology , anatomy , heat stress , ecology , medicine , endocrinology , botany
Summary This study evaluated the capacity of thermoregulation and its consequences on the scrotal surface temperature patterns and semen quality of buffalo bulls raised in a wet tropical climate. Eleven water buffaloes were evaluated in the rainiest, in the transitional and in the less rainy season. Air temperature and humidity were consistently high, but the animals did not show thermal stress in any season. The scrotal temperature gradient of buffalo bulls using infrared thermography was described, and three parallel and decreasing thermal bands were characterised. Sperm quality ( n = 176 ejaculates) was maintained in normal parameters over the periods. Pearson's coefficients showed that sperm volume and progressive motility were negatively correlated with ocular globe, epididymal tail and minimum scrotal temperatures ( p < .01). Sperm membrane integrity was negatively influenced by increases in epididymal tail and minimum scrotal temperatures ( p < .01). Ocular globe temperature also showed positive correlation with rectal, spermatic cord, and epididymal tail temperatures ( p < .01). Therefore, even under high temperature and humidity, the thermoregulatory system was effective in preventing heat stress and the normality of scrotal surface temperatures, spermatogenesis and sperm maturation were maintained.