Relationship Between Physical Parameters and Seminal Plasma Testosterone Levels in Aceh Bulls

Will be presented at Friday, 23 May 2025, 10.00 (GMT +7)

Abstract

In Aceh bulls, specific physical parameters are hypothesized to correlate with reproductive potential and serve as indicators for selecting superior sires to improve cattle breeding programs. The capacity of sires to produce spermatozoa and sustain spermatogenesis is intrinsically linked to testosterone secretion. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between select physical parameters and seminal plasma testosterone levels in Aceh bulls. The study was conducted at BPTU-HPT Indrapuri Aceh Besar, Indonesia, using five Aceh bulls aged 3-5 years with a body weight range of 300-450 kg. Fresh semen was collected using the artificial vagina technique, and seminal plasma testosterone levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).  Pearson's correlation test was used to assess the relationships between variables. The mean (± SD) for scrotal circumference, body height, and pelvic circumference were 29.8 ± 2.86 cm, 120.3 ± 6.05 cm, and 171.0 ± 7.96 cm, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) revealed a strong, positive, and statistically significant correlation between testosterone levels and scrotal circumference (r = 0.955*, p < 0.05). Positive, but not-significant, correlations were observed between testosterone levels and body height (r = 0.785, p > 0.05) and pelvic circumference (r = 0.408, p > 0.05). In conclusion, seminal plasma testosterone concentration exhibits a strong positive correlation with scrotal circumference in Aceh bulls, suggesting that scrotal circumference may serve as a useful indicator of reproductive potential in this breed.