Effect of Dietary Energy Levels on Growth, Testicular Development and Sperm Production in Murrah Buffalo Young Bulls

This study was conducted to find out the effect of feed energy levels on body growth, testicular development and semen production in 18 young Murrah buffalo bulls (Age ∼ 24 mon. and BW ∼ 428 kg) divided into three groups of six bulls each. The animals in group1 (G₁) were given rations as per ICAR (2013) recommendations while in G₂ and G₂ they were provided with 10 and 20% higher energy through molasses during five months trial. DM intake (% BW) was higher (P<0.01) in G₃ (2.29±0.20) than G₂ (2.23±0.02) and G₁ (2.16±0.02), however, body weight, average daily weight gains and scrotal circumference were similar in all the groups. Testosterone concentration (ng/ml) was found to be higher (P<0.05) in bulls of group G₃ (1.81±0.34) as compared to G₂ (1.46±0.28) and G₁ (1.29±0.32). The sperm concentration (million/ml) was higher (P<0.05) in G₂ (1165.27±46.70) than G₃ (935.18±51.20) and G₁ (895.61±73.0).