1Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joyhing, North Lakhimpur, Assam, India
2ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, Haryana, India
3Department of Veterinary Physiology, Arawali Veterinary College, Sikar, India
4Division of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, F.V. Sc. and A.H., SKUAST-J, R.S. Pura, Jammu, India
*Corresponding author: A Kumar, Email: dramitndri24@gmail.com
Online published on 7 February, 2019.
Provision of good semen quality is necessary throughout the year for sustainable dairy development. The aim of rearing crossbred cattle is to enhance the productivity. However, heat stress, which is common to tropical countries, influences their productivity. The semen quality of crossbred bulls declines under heat stress. The thermoregulatory mechanism of testes is affected under higher ambient temperature, which in turn enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. ROS attack causes lipid peroxidation of sperm membrane, which results in reduced sperm motility. The spermatogenesis process and testosterone production are affected under heat stress. The quality of semen is affected significantly under stressful conditions, which affects the growth of dairy sector. Poor semen quality contributes to the failure of artificial insemination and conception. Some of the sperm defect cannot be evaluated through routine examination, viz., the genetic/or molecular defects. The management of bulls under summer stress is necessary for production of good quality semen. This review aims to focus on examination of semen quality based on physical, biochemical and heat shock protein expression under tropical climatic conditions
Semen quality, Crossbred bulls, Heat stress, ROS, HSPs
