EFFECTS OF AGE AND SEASON ON THE BODY WEIGHT, SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCEAND LIBIDO IN NILI-RAVI BUFFALO BULLS MAINTAINED
AT THE SEMEN PRODUCTION UNIT, QADIRARAD
M. Younis, H.A. Samad, N. Ahmad and I. Ahmad
Department of Animal Reproduction, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Abstract
This
study was carried out to investigate effects of age and season on body weight,
scrotal circumference and libido in 18 Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls kept at the Semen
Production Unit, Qadirabad. Depending on age, these bulls were divided into
three equal groups viz. young (3-4 years of age), adult (5-8 years of age) and
old (12-15 years of age). Body weight and scrotal measurements were made at
monthly intervals while libido of each bull was assessed weekly during the low
(May to July) and the peak (September to November) breeding seasons.The results indicated that the body weight of adult and old bulls was
higher (P<0.05) than young bulls. Similarly. The body weight was higher during
peak than low breeding season. Scrotal circumference was higher in adult and old
bulls than young bulls and during peak than low breeding season (P<0.05). The
libido of the adult bulls was higher than young or old bulls, and during the
peak than the low breeding season. It was concluded that body weight, scrotal
circumference and libido of Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls were significantly affected
by age of the bull and season of the year.