Genetic evaluation of semen production and fertility traits in exotic crossbred and indigenous cattle and buffaloes

Abstract

The records of 736 bulls comprised of 2,69,795; 9,662 and 2,239 ejaculates of semen production, semen quality and sperm abnormality data respectively, while, 5,76,870 artificial inseminations on different genetic groups were broadly classified into five categories viz. Holstein Friesian, Jersey, crossbreds of Holstein Friesian and Jersey, indigenous cattle and buffaloes. newlineThe variations in breeding values on the basis of standard deviations were higher in case of initial motility for Jersey, Holstein Friesian crossbreds and Murrah; and acrosome integrity of frozen semen and hypo-osmotic swelling test for crossbreds newline newlineof Holstein Friesian and Jersey bulls. These variations among the traits have given a better scope for selection. Selection of bulls on the basis of fertility is very difficult as the standard deviations were too low. The genetic trends among the semen production, semen quality, sperm abnormality, and fertility traits were either very low or negative indicating absence or lack of selection of bulls for semen traits newline newline