Biometric and Ultrasonographic Aspects of Testicular Development in Guzerat (Bos taurus indicus) Bovines

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the testicular development of guzerat bovines through ultrasonography, testicular biometry and spermatic assessment. 65 animals were assessed monthly, aged between 9.1 and 24 months, during six consecutive months. The study measured the scrotal perimeter and the width and length of the two testicles, as well as an ultrasound in mode B and a 5MHz transducer. Testicular images were recorded in video (VHS) and later digitalized in order to be analyzed using the Image J 1582 software (Image National Institute of Health). Animals with a scrotal perimeter ≥20 cm were subject to semen collection through electric ejaculation. The animals were considered as ubertal when there was at least one moving sperm in the ejaculation. The evaluated sperm characteristics were motility, vigor, concentration and morphology. The results showed that animals up to 30 months of age were still in growth period. The ecotexture of the testicular parenchyma of pubertal animals was greater than that of pre-pubertal animals. There was an increase in the testicular ecotexture between 15 and 30 months of age. The relationship between the intensity of the pixels and morphologic characteristics of the semen were minor.