Effect of selected factors on qualitative and quantitative semen parameters of Czech Fleckvieh bulls

Abstract

The aim of the study was to estimate genetic characteristics for important qualitative and quantitative parameters of Czech Fleckvieh bulls' ejaculate and to define factors which influence these parameters. a total number of 2,929 entries about samples from 163 bulls of a selected artificial insemination centre were used for calculation. the analysed ejaculate characteristics were: volume of ejaculate, sperm concentration, total sperm count, native sperm activity and activity after thawing. In all evaluated semen characteristics, the age of individual, coefficient of inbreeding, interval between colection and year of colection were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the case of season of colection, statistically significance (P < 0.01) was proved in all monitored semen parameters, except concetration of spermatozoa where statistically significant difference was not found (P > 0.05). Estimated coefficients of heritability correspond to the values standardly specified for reproductive parameters (h2 = 0.003-0.14), except for the volume of ejaculate (h2 = 0.31). the highest value of genetic correlation was recorded between the volume of ejaculate and the total sperm count (rG = 0.9), on the contrary, the lowest value was between the volume of ejaculate and the sperm concentration (rG = 0.32).