Relationship between physical parameters and seminal plasma testosterone levels in Aceh Bulls

¹ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, 23111 Banda Aceh, Indonesia
² Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, 23111 Banda Aceh, Indonesia
³ Research Centre for Innovation and Feed Technology, Universitas Syiah Kuala, 23111 Banda Aceh. Indonesia
⁴ Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Almuslim, 24261 Bireuen, Indonesia
⁵ The Center for Superior Animal Breeding and Forage (BPTU HPT) Indrapuri, 23363 Aceh Besar, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

In Aceh bulls, physical traits linked to testosterone levels are hypothesized to indicate reproductive potential and aid in selecting superior sires for breeding programs. 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) 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. Testosterone levels showed a strong, positive, and significant correlation with scrotal circumference (r = 0.955*, p < 0.05), but non- significant correlations with body height (r = 0.785) and pelvic circumference (r = 0.408). In conclusion, seminal plasma testosterone level 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.