Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X

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The effect of temperature-humidity index on sperm motility parameters in Holstein bulls

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Corresponding Author, Research Center of Nahadehaye Dami Jahed Co. (NDJ Co.), Karaj, Iran. E-mail: maryam.rahbar68@gmail.com

2 Corresponding Author, Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. E-mail: mbehgar@aeoi.org.ir

3 Research Center of Nahadehaye Dami Jahed Co. (NDJ Co.), Karaj, Iran. E-mail: mr1984kh@yahoo.com

4 Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. E-mail: fmotamedi@aeoi.org.ir

5 Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. E-mail: pshawrang@aeoi.org.ir

10.22059/jap.2025.389731.623831

Abstract

Objective: The temperature-Humidity Index (THI) is used to study the effect of heat stress and is one of the critical factors in performance and infertility. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of THI on motility parameters and sperm motility velocity of Holstein bulls in different months and to investigate the internal correlation between these parameters.
Method: Meteorological data from the National Meteorological Organization were used to calculate THI. Semen collection and evaluation were carried out at Nahadehaye Dami Jahed Company in Karaj. Three Holstein bulls were used in this study. The semen was diluted and then loaded into straws and frozen after cooling using a programmable freezer. The straws were immediately stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed in a water bath (37°C for 30 s) before evaluation. Sperm kinematic parameters were evaluated using CASA.
Results: The THI was lower in April than in other months and higher in July than in other months. The average THI in spring and summer was 64.00 and 70.67, respectively. Total motility, progressive motility, and slow motility were higher in May than in other months and lower in August than in other months. Among the sperm motility parameters, only beat cross frequency (BCF) and straightness (STR) had significant differences in different months. BCF was higher in May compared to other months and lower in August compared to other months. However, STR was higher in July compared to other months and lower in August compared to other months. The THI had a significant negative correlation with sperm progressive motility. Regarding the relationship between motility parameters and sperm motility velocity, the results showed a significant positive correlation between total motility with progressive motility and curved line velocity (VCL). Progressive motility was also positively correlated with VCL and BCF. A significant positive correlation was observed between the sperm motility parameters. A positive correlation was observed between the average path velocity (VAP) and the VCL, straight line velocity (VSL), and BCF parameters. There was a positive correlation between BCF and VCL and VAP parameters.
Conclusions: The data show that mild heat stress leads to a decrease in sperm motility and sperm velocity motility parameters. The negative correlation between THI and sperm progressive motility indicates the importance of heat stress on this important parameter. It is suggested that future studies investigate the relationship between THI and sperm motility parameters with sperm fertility using regression models.

Keywords

References
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Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X
Volume 27, Issue 2
June 2025
Pages 223-233
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