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ISSN No. 2454-6194 | DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS |Volume X Issue XI November 2025

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Comparative Assessment of Concentration, Volume and Motility of

Semen among Different Breeds of Dairy Bull

Md Rafiqul Islam Razib

and Md Maruf Billa

University of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management,

Department of Animal Husbandry

Livestock Extension Officer, Narail Sadar, Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Livestock and

Fisheries Bangladesh

Corresponding Author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2025.101100069

Received: 24 November 2025; Accepted: 30 November 2025; Published: 17 December 2025

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to assess the semen quality of different breeding bulls reared in Central

Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm (CCBDF), Savar, Dhaka. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to

determine the physical and chemical properties of different bulls. A total of 57 dairy bulls, Local cross

(L×F(n=6)), Local (n=6), Red Chittagong Cattle (R.C.C (n=6)), Sahiwal (SL (n=6)), Sahiwal cross

(SL×F(n=6)), Friesian cross (L×F×F(n=6)), Friesian (50% H.F (n=6)), Friesian (62.5% H.F (n=6)), and

Friesian 75% (H.F (n=9)) were used. The semen of different crossbred and local bulls was examined for

ejaculate volume, concentration, and motility percent of sperm. It was observed that the maximum average

ejaculate volume was obtained from L×F×F (10.50 ±4.04) ml and the minimum from 62.5% H.F (6 ±0.89) ml.

The maximum average sperm concentration was obtained from Local (1345.17±230.08 million/ml), and the

minimum was SL×F (1057.67±286.74 million/ml). The maximum average motility was obtained from 75%

H.F. (65.56 ± 5.27) % and the minimum was 62.5% H.F. (61.67 ± 4.08) %. These parameters are highly

responsible for producing the best quality semen. Although the motility percentage of semen was highest in

75% H.F. cross, the local breed has the highest concentration of sperm in semen. It may be concluded that the

performance of L×F Holstein Frisian crossbreeds was best based on their overall characteristics; conversely,

SL×F crossbreeds showed comparatively less quality semen in overall characteristics in semi-intensive

systems. Therefore, it is recommended that local breed upgradation is important for milk production, but

introducing 100% HF induces calving ease.

Keyword: Semen; Motility; Sperm Concentration

INTRODUCTION

Bangladesh’s livestock population is estimated to include about 25.17 million cattle, 1.5 million buffaloes, 3.9

million sheep, 27.2 million goats, along with roughly 336 million chickens and 70.5 million ducks (BBS, 2024-

25). Livestock is playing an important role as a means of livelihood and protein source for human

consumption. In most developing countries, often the number of livestock is quite high, but food from animal

origin remains in deficit. Although livestock product increased at the rate of 5.4% and a stable Gross Domestic

Production (GDP) contribution of 2.1–3.6%, the budget was limited to less than 1% (Rahman et al., 2014). The

limited growth in the dairy industry is certainly due to a lack of breeding, feeding, and management facilities

for cows (Steve Hatfield-Dodds, 2007). Artificial insemination has been practiced as a sound breeding tool to

improve the genetics of adopted indigenous cattle (Rahman et al., 2014; Patel et al., 2017). Breed upgradation

significantly relies on the quality of semen, the skill of the AI technician, and the time of AI (Islam et al.,

2020). The Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm (CCBDF), under the Department of Livestock Services

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(DLS), acts as a pioneer of the artificial insemination program, and they established 15,389 AI subcenters to

disseminate frozen semen all over Bangladesh (Hridoy et al., 2025).

According to recent data, a total of 14.1 million semen was used in 2022-23, where DLS supplied about 4.23

million, and the rest were supplied by private organizations, and studies indicated the conception rate varies

from 50% to 72%. The conception rate is high near to the semen processing center because of short

transportation time. Semen production is increasing, but the area coverage is low, around 70-75% (Saleque,

2023). Semen analysis and fertility of a bull are both highly important for selecting a breeding bull, and

motility of sperm is a critical parameter that indicates the progressive movement of sperm towards the oocyte

in the reproductive tract of a female (Hossain et al., 2022). Quality of semen of a breeding bull depends on

some parameters like semen volume (ml), concentration of sperm (million/ml), viability (%), and mortality rate

(Islam et al., 2018).

Physical and chemical properties of bull semen influence the quality of semen because during the process of

semen analysis large numbers of physical and chemical changes occur, which may alter the properties of bull

semen and impair herd fertility. In temperate zones low reproductive rates are significantly influenced by the

quality of bull semen (Hossain et al., 2012). To meet rising demands for milk and meat, private organizations

in Bangladesh have imported exotic breeding bulls and distributed their semen through AI programs around

the country (Amy et al.,2022). However, research on semen evaluation in the country is limited, even though

regular assessment of semen quality and quantity is crucial for improving breeding performance. Therefore,

the current study aimed to observe the physical and chemical properties of different bull semen and to compare

sperm motility, concentration, and volume and their effect on the production of quality semen.

METHODOLOGYS

Study Area:

The study was conducted at the Artificial Insemination (AI) laboratory of the Central Cattle Breeding Station

(CCDBF), Savar, Dhaka. The farm was situated adjacent to the Dhaka-Aricha highway and 30 km northwest of

Dhaka city. The farm was established in 1982, and it is covered with land area of 792 acres. In the Central

Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm (CCBDF), the Byre section has 1308 dairy cattle of different breeds. On the

other hand, the AI section has 230 dairy bulls. AI section, CCBDF has been contributing almost 55% of semen

production in Bangladesh.

Experimental Animals

Among 230 breeding bulls of the AI section, 57 were selected according to quality and quantity of semen

production based on recorded data of that farm. In this study, 57 dairy bulls of Friesian cross, Local, Red

Chittagong Cattle, Sahiwal, and Sahiwal cross were used, where L×F (n=6), L×F×F (n=6), 50% H.F (n=6),

62.5% H.F (n=6), 75% H.F (n=9), SL (n=6), SL×F (n=6), Local (n=6), and R.C.C (n=6) were used. According

to the bull register, the age of the bulls ranged from 24 to 120 months, body weight ranged from 390 to 1070

kg, BCS ranged from 4.0 to 4.5, motility was 60%, and concentration per dose was approximately 25 million.

Ration of Breeding Bull

Table-1: Ration for breeding bulls at the central cattle breeding and dairy farm

Ingredients

Amount

(kg)

DCP

(kg)

TDN

(kg)

Maize grain

10.0

8.9

0.89

7.7

Wheat bran

52.0

46.3

6.76

36.4

Khesari

15.0

13.4

3.6

10.5

Gram

16.0

14.2

4.48

11.2

Soybean meal

06.0

5.3

2.52

4.2

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Bone meal

0.75

0.7

0.18

0.09

Common salt

0.25

0.2

Total

100

89.0

18.4

0.18

0.09

Collection of Semen

Before semen collection, the AV set was assembled and maintained at a temperature of 37.5°C. During semen

collection, a dummy bull was tied into a chute, and the semen-collecting bull was brought near to the dummy

bull. One person stimulated the bull whistling with his lips, and the bull jumped over the dummy. But the 1st

jump was avoided for the better quality of semen, while semen was collected on the 2nd and 3rd jumps, while

the amount of semen per ejaculation was 7-8 ml. Semen was collected twice in a week, and the time was in the

morning, from 7 to 9 a.m. Immediately after collection, the collecting tube was detached from the AV, taken to

the laboratory, and placed at 37°C in a water bath until evaluation and processing of semen.

Processing and Preservation of Semen

The egg yolk-tris-fructose-citric acid-glycerol extender was used as a diluent for the preservation of semen

in frozen conditions. Briefly, a stock solution was prepared by dissolving tris (297.6 mmol), fructose (82.6

mmol), citric acid (105.3 mmol), penicillin G sodium (1000 I.U./ml), and streptomycin sulfate (1 mg/ml) in

glass-distilled water. The fresh yolk was added with the buffer at a concentration of 20% (v/v).

Volume of total diluter

×2

Number of doses calculated = ×4

The volume of the extender was divided into two equal parts. Thereafter, glycerol was added to one part of the

extender at two times the desired concentration (12.8%). The other part of the diluent was used to make the

initial dilution of semen that contained two times the desired concentration of spermatozoa. The initial dilution

of semen was made at +37°C. The equal parts of initially diluted semen and double-concentration glycerol-

containing extender were mixed in four steps during a 2- to 3-hour cooling process. Individual insemination

doses were sucked in 0.25 ml. French straws on the open ends of the straws were sealed by using an automatic

filling and sealing machine. After loading, the straws were left for equilibration at +40ºC for an hour. The

cooling and equilibration operation was done in a cold handling cabinet. After equilibration, the freezing

operation was conducted in a semen freezer (HN, Mini tub, Germany) to cool the semen from +4 to -14°C

during a period of 20-30 min, and then the straws were directly plunged into liquid nitrogen (-196°C).

Evaluation of Semen

Individual fresh ejaculates were evaluated for volume, sperm motility, sperm concentration, total

spermatozoa per ejaculation, and proportion of spermatozoa with normal acrosome, mid-piece, and tail. The

volume of fresh semen was recorded from the graduated mark of the semen collecting tube. To evaluate the

sperm motility, a small drop (10 µl) of semen was placed on a clean, pre-warmed glass slide and covered

with a cover slip. Motility was assessed visually by estimating the proportion of spermatozoa actively

moving forward under medium magnification (200x) and expressed as a percentage. Semen volume and

sperm concentration were measured immediately after collection. Different motility patterns of spermatozoa

(progressive, fast, slow, local, and immotile) were measured by the Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer

(CASA).

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Grading of semen according to motility

Scale

Grade

Characteristics

(+++++)

Excellent

More than 80% of the spermatozoa are in vigorous motion. The swirling and eddying

caused by sperm movement occurs rapidly and continuously. Movements are so vigorous

that it is impossible to observe individual spermatozoon in undiluted semen.

(++++)

Very good

About 70-80% of the spermatozoa are in vigorous motion. Waves and eddies are formed

rapidly but not so vigorous as in excellent grade.

(+++)

Good

About 50-75% of the spermatozoa are in motion. Motion is vigorous but waves and

eddies formed slowly across the field.

(++)

Fair

About 30-50% of the spermatozoa are in motion. Movements are vigorous.

No waves and eddies.

(+) Poor

Less than 30% of the spermatozoa are in motion. The motion is mostly weak and

oscillatory, not progressive.

(O) Zero

No motility found.

Source: (Mandal et al., 2020)

Thawing of Semen

To check the post-thaw motility and taking sample for formol-saline fixation, the frozen semen straws were

thawed at +37°C warm water for 12 sec at 24 hours post freezing.

Data analysis

The data related to ejaculate volume; sperm concentration and motility were collected and compiled by

using Microsoft Excel 2010. All the data collected from the central cattle breeding and dairy farms are

gathered and compared with different result of the crossbreed semen and their physical and chemical

characteristics.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Physical and chemical properties, particularly volume of ejaculate, concentration of sperm and motility of

sperm have been investigated in this study.

Table-2: Comparison among different crossbreed semen based on volume, concentration and motility

Cross Breed

Volume (ml)

Concentration

(million/ml)

Motility

L×F

6.83

±0.76

1312.00

±156.43

65.00

± 5.48

L×F×F

10.50

±4.04

1187.17

±288.99

65.00

± 5.48

50% H.F

6.33

±1.63

1079.17

±356.93

63.33

± 5.16

62.5% H.F

6.00

±0.89

1099.00

±305.29

61.67

± 4.08

75% H.F

8.78

±2.54

1162.44

±342.60

65.56

± 5.27

7.50

±3.27

1232.00

±404.94

63.33

± 5.16

SL×F

10.00

±2.28

1057.67

±286.74

63.33

5.16

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Local

7.00

±1.67

1345.17

±230.08

± 5.47

R.C.C

7.00

±2.45

1270.33

±280.88

63.34

± 5.16

Volume of semen

Assessment of freshly drawn bull semen is crucial for the efficacy of artificial insemination. Therefore, volume,

concentration, and motility were investigated in this study. Average volume of semen among 57 breeding bulls

didn’t differ too much, and the mean values were (6.83 ±0.76), (10.50 ±4.04), (6.33 ±1.63), (6.00 ±0.89), (8.78

±2.54), (7.50 ±3.27), (10.00 ±2.28), (7.00 ±1.67), and (7.00 ±2.45) for L×F, L×F×F, 50% H.F., 62.5% H.F.,

75% H.F., SL, SL×F, Local, and R.C.C., respectively (Table 2). Based on this study, the highest volume of

semen per ejaculation (10.50±4.04) was found in (LxFxF) bulls and the lowest (6.00±0.89) in (62.5% H.F)

bulls, as illustrated in Figure 2. In similar studies Hasan (2020) indicated that the semen volume of H.F. was

(6.13 ±0.28), whereas for SL it was (5.26 ±0.17), which is significantly different from our findings. Shaha et al.

(2010) documented that the volume of semen ranges from 4.1 to 7.6 ml for Holstein Friesian Zebu cattle.

According to Murphy (2018), the differences in semen volume among bulls may result from random effects of

breed.

Figure 1: Volume of semen of different cross breed

Mass motility

Figure 2 stated that average mass Motility (%) in fresh ejaculate ranged between 60% and 65%. The

motility rate is highest in the 75% H.F cross (65.56 ± 5.27) % and the lowest is in 62.5% H.F cross (61.67 ±

4.08) %. (Rahman et al., 2014; Shaha et al., 2010) stated similar assumptions on motility of breeding bull

were 66.64± 0.50% and 56.6 to 76% respectively. In contrast (Islam et al., 2018) found that motility of

Holstein Friesian cross breed breeding bull was (74.73±0.76%) which significantly differ from our result.

The variation of motility might be resulted from the effect of age, breed or random effect associated with

the individual bulls (Nasrin et al., 2008).

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Figure 2: Motility of semen of different cross breeds

Sperm concentration

Regarding sperm concentration, the highest number of sperm counts (1345.17 ±230.08 million/ml) obtained

from the local breed and the lowest (1057.67±286.74 million/ml) in Sahiwal and H.F. cross. Sperm

concentration in ejaculate is one of the important criteria of semen characteristics to qualify fertile males for

breeding purposes. According to Shaha et al. (2008), Friesian-cross-Zebu cattle have comparatively low

sperm concentration (1000 million/ml), but our findings (1345.17 ±230.08) are moderately higher than this.

On the contrary, Hasan et al. (2020) stated that sperm concentration in Holstein Friesian breeding bulls and

Sahiwal was 1664.28±62.41 and 2036.00±43.99, respectively, which significantly differs from our study.

Sperm concentration in semen considered as an initial indicator of semen quality in semen used for

cryopreservation. The higher the concentration of semen, the more likely it will increase the success of AI.

Figure 3: Concentration of semen of different cross breeds

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From the above discussion it is prominent that the Holstein Friesian crossbreed (LxF) provides the best quality

semen based upon volume, concentration, and motility in a semi-intensive system, while the SL×F crossbreed

indicated comparatively less quality semen depending on three parameters. Hasan et al. (2014) noted that L×F

and 50% H.F. crosses are feasible for the breed development of Bangladesh because of higher conception rates

and adaptation capacity.

CONCLUSION

Semen production of bull depends on physical condition of bull, scrotum circumference and body condition

score. Physical and chemical properties of bull semen influence the quality of semen. Semen analysis and

fertility of a bull are both highly important for selecting a breeding bull, and motility of sperm is a critical

parameter that indicates the progressive movement of sperm towards the oocyte in the reproductive tract of

a female. Three parameters of 57 diverse types of breeding bulls at the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy

Farm, Savar, Dhaka, have discussed. It was evident that depending on breed, the volume of semen,

concentration of semen and motility of semen are varied. Holstein Friesian cross L×F produces high-quality

semen based on volume, concentration, and motility, followed by 75% H.F., L×F×F, 50% H.F., Local,

R.C.C., Sahiwal, and 62.5% H.F., respectively. It suggested that local breed upgradation is considerable for

milk production, but introducing 100% HF will make calving difficulties.

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