RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SEASON AND TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY INDEX OF BULGARIAN MURRAH BUFFALO (Bubalus bubalis) SEMEN IN LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

The study determined the effects of season and temperature humidity index on the mass activity, semen volume, sperm motility and sperm concentration from eight (8) Bulgarian Murrah buffalo bulls raised at the Philippine Carabao Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (PCC at UPLB), Laguna from 2017-2018. The data were analyzed using a 2x2 factorial design in CRD, the first factor was the season (rainy and dry), while the second factor was stress condition (mild, 72–78 THI and moderate, 79–88 THI). Results revealed that the semen volume was significantly lower during the dry season and mass activity was significantly lower during 79-88 THI. The interaction between the season and THI did not significantly influence all semen parameters. In conclusion, the changing seasons and different groups of THI did not seem to affect the general semen parameters analyzed in this study, in terms of possible chances of impregnating female buffaloes on estrus. This indicates that the bulls tolerated the changes in the environmental condition of the prevailing area and the management of the bulls employed by the center was effective in helping them to adapt to hot and humid tropical environment.