Scrotal
circumference is a trait that commercial cow calf operators should include
in their bull selection criteria. Studies conducted by Cates in 1975
on 1944 bulls indicated that the probability of the beef bull having satisfactory
semen quality increased greatly as scrotal circumference increased from
30 to 38 cm.
Scrotal circumference
is highly correlated to total sperm output and moderately correlated to
normal sperm morphology. Bulls with larger testes will produce more
normal sperm cells. Testes size (and scrotal circumference) has a
very high heritability estimate (.68). This means it is an easy trait
to select for and rapid progress can be made in selecting bulls that will
produce more normal sperm cells. Selecting bulls with large testes
also has a fortuitous spin-off in improving female fertility. Work
at Colorado State University has shown that female relatives of bulls with
larger testes reach puberty at a younger age. Through selecting bulls
for testes size as well as growth traits, Colorado State has reduced the
age of puberty whereby 80% of the heifers reach puberty by 10-12 months
of age and nearly 100% by breeding age at 14-15 months. There is
a positive relationship between scrotal circumference and yearling weights
so growth traits are not compromised when selecting for both fertility
and growth rate. The table below illustrates the minimum scrotal
circumference (SC) that will allow a bull to pass a breeding soundness
exam. However, bull buyers should not be anxious to accept the minimum,
but rather select bulls that are average or above average for the breed
and the age of the bull. Therefore the "Good" column of the following
table is a better guideline for bull selection.
Recommended
Scrotal Circumference
Age Minimum
SC (cm) Good
< 15 months 30
>34
15 - 18 months 31
>36
18 - 21 months 32
>37
21 - 24 months 33
>38
> 24 months 34
>39
There
is great variation in scrotal circumference between breeds of bulls.
Measurement of thousands of English and European bulls have shown that
yearling bulls should have scrotal circumference of at least 30 cm and
by 20 months of age have a scrotal circumference of at least 32 cm.
Brahman breed bulls will have smaller testes at the younger ages and they
will reach maturity at an older age. The Brahman breed bulls will
have adult scrotal circumferences similar to other beef breeds.
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