Comparative evaluation of abnormal spermatozoa in Pannon White, New Zealand White and Angora rabbit semen

The connection between sperm cell abnormalities and the breeds and seasons was studied. Semen was obtained from 20 Pannon White (PW), 20 New Zealand W hite (NZW) and 20 Angora (A) males monthly throughout a year. 697 ejaculate s were evaluated. The average abnormal spermatozoa content of the ejaculate s was 16.07+/-1.77, 16.50+/-0.21 and 27.34+/-0.30 % respectively. The incid ence of head and tail abnormalities was higher than that of other abnormali ties in every group, but in A rabbits acrosome abnormalities were also at a significantly high level. The ratio of deformations was higher (P < 0.05) in all seasons in the A breed than in PW or NZW. Under Hungarian climate co nditions the summer heat causes both primary and secondary degradation in s emen quality. The effect of heat stress on spermatogenesis can be observed in the decreased semen quality in autumn.