SPERM ANTIBODIES AND REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN THE ZEBU CATTLE IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract 

    The association of sperm antibodies with infertility in 1346 Zebu cattle, including 435 males and 911 females, was serologically investigated. Sperm antibodies were not detected in yearling animals and very few animals were positive for sperm antibodies below the age of 36 months. The proportion of animals, both males and females, with sperm antibodies increased significantly with age (P<0.001). The proportion of animals positive for sperm antibodies was also significantly related to sex (P<0.001). In the females, the proportion of animals positive for sperm antibodies increased, and was significantly associated, with increased parity (P<0.001). The mean age at first calving and the mean intercalving interval were significantly higher in the group positive for sperm antibodies compared to the negative animals (P<0.001).

Key words: Sperm antibodies, Zebu cattle, infertility