Sexual Behavior and Semen Production of Madura Bulls

Abstract

Madura cattle are Indonesian native germplasm which has a high productivity. Madura bulls used for artificial insemination programs must be superior bulls with a high libido and semen production. The libido can be seen through the sexual behavior of the bulls before semen collection. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sexual behavior and semen production in Madura bulls. This research was conducted on February 20 until April 25, 2018, at the Laboratory of Singosari National Artificial Insemination Center, Malang. The materials used were 4 Madura bulls aged at 8 to 11 years. The parameters observed were sexual behavior (libido duration and ejaculation duration) and semen production (total spermatozoa and total motile spermatozoa). The method used was observational in a randomized block design. The results showed that the individual bulls had no significant differences (P>0.05) on libido duration and ejaculation duration, but had a highly significant difference (P<0.01) on total spermatozoa and total motile spermatozoa. The highest libido duration was observed in the Kanwa bull with an average of 2.45±3.41 minutes. Meanwhile, the highest ejaculation, total spermatozoa, and total motile spermatozoa were found in the Pasean bull with an average of 7.17±1.60 minutes, 7,374.2±1,888.05 million/ejaculate, and 5,133.52±1,359.65 million/ejaculate, respectively. It could be concluded that there are no differences in sexual behavior among individual Madura bulls, however, there are differences in spermatozoa production. In addition, the sexual behavior stimulation could increase spermatozoa production.