M. Anzar et al., SELECTION OF BUFFALO BULLS - SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SEMEN PRODUCTION AND FERTILITY, Theriogenology, 40(6), 1993, pp. 1187-1198
Forty-four buffalo bulls, used for artificial insemination, were studi
ed to develop libido, mating ability and sexual behavior indices for s
election purposes. For each index, 5 categories (i.e., excellent, very
good, good, fair and poor) were established. The sexual behavior inde
x was found to be more reliable than the libido and mating ability ind
ices. Buffalo bulls in good to excellent categories were considered ac
ceptable sires. Reaction time, sexual aggressiveness, and scores of li
bido, mating ability and sexual behavior differed significantly among
the various categories of the 3 indices. Libido significantly correlat
ed with mating ability (r=0.89; P<0.001). Sexual behavior expressed si
gnificant relationship with age (r=0.41; P<0.01) and body weight (r=0.
48,. P<0.01), but was nonsignificant with the scrotal circumference (r
=0.28; P>0.05) of buffalo bulls. However, these relationships were abs
ent (P>0.05) in the acceptable sires. Semen production was correlated
with sexual behavior in only the fair and poor categories of buffalo b
ulls (r=0.84; P<0.005). Sexual behavior had no relationship with the f
ertility rate of buffalo bulls (r=0.44; P>0.05). It is concluded that
the sexual behavior index can be used successfully for the selection o
f buffalo bulls. Excellent- to good bulls should be used in an artific
ial breeding program if they qualify in the other selection indices.