Scrotal infrared digital thermography as a predictor of seasonal effects on sperm traits in Braford bulls

The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal effects of the environment on semen quality in bulls, using infrared thermography. Sperm motility (M), mass motion (MM), and vigor (VIG) were evaluated in sperm samples from 17 Bradford bulls aged approximately 24 months at the beginning of the study....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of biometeorology 2015-03, Vol.59 (3), p.357-364
Main Authors: Menegassi, Silvio Renato Oliveira, Barcellos, Júlio Otavio Jardim, Dias, Eduardo Antunes, Koetz, Celso, Jr, Pereira, Gabriel Ribas, Peripolli, Vanessa, McManus, Concepta, Canozzi, Maria Eugênia Andrighetto, Lopes, Flávio Guiselli
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
analysis of variance
Animal Physiology
Animal reproduction
Animals
Autumn
bioclimatology
Biological and Medical Physics
Biophysics
Body Temperature
bulls
Cattle
Climate change
computer software
correlation
Earth and Environmental Science
Environment
Environmental effects
Environmental Health
Humidity
Male
Meteorology
microclimate
Original Research Paper
Plant Physiology
Relative humidity
Scrotum - anatomy & histology
Scrotum - physiology
seasonal variation
Seasons
semen
Semen Analysis
Sperm
sperm motility
Spermatogenesis
spermatozoa
Spring
Studies
Summer
Temperature
Temperature gradients
testes
Thermography
Variance analysis
vigor
Winter
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Summary:The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal effects of the environment on semen quality in bulls, using infrared thermography. Sperm motility (M), mass motion (MM), and vigor (VIG) were evaluated in sperm samples from 17 Bradford bulls aged approximately 24 months at the beginning of the study. Infrared thermography images and data were collected using an infrared FLIR T 300 camera and Quick Report 1.2 SP2 software to determine the temperature of the proximal and distal poles of the testis and to assess the testicular temperature gradient. The seasonal effects on physiological, seminal, and climatic variables were analyzed by the GLM ANOVA and CORR procedures using SAS®. The microclimatic factors were recorded in hourly intervals, and the daily mean temperature and mean relative humidity were calculated to determine the daily temperature-humidity index (THI) every day for 1 year. The temperature gradient (TG) variations of the testes were significantly higher in the autumn (4.5 °C), winter (4.0 °C), and spring (2.9 °C) compared to summer (0.9 °C) (P 
ISSN:0020-7128
1432-1254
DOI:10.1007/s00484-014-0847-z