Eriksson, Pernilla and Lundeheim, Nils and Söderquist, Lennart
(2012).
Changes in mean scrotal circumference in performance tested Swedish beef bulls over time.
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica. 54
:74
, 1-6
[Research article]
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-54-74
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
There is a growing interest in beef cattle breeding in Sweden. The majority of the females are bred
naturally, which is why it is important to choose healthy fertile bulls to obtain good reproduction and profitability.
The breeding soundness evaluation includes measurement of scrotal circumference (SC). Our aim was to analyze if
the SC of performance tested beef bulls has changed over the years. In total, 1332 bulls (Angus, Charolais, Hereford
and Simmental) from 13 batches (1997-2010) were included in the study. Case book entries from final evaluation of
the bulls, 11-13 months old, were compiled and analyzed.
RESULTS:
An overall mean SC of 34.7 cm independent of breed and age was found which is above the set minimum level. Only eleven bulls did not reach the minimum level. An increase in SC of 0.06-0.07 cm/year was shown for all breeds. In all (1997-2010), the increase of the average SC (independent of breed and age) was approximately 1 cm. The positive trend was apparent for all breeds but only statistically significant for the Charolais breed.
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, our results indicated an increase in the SC over time, which improves the possibilities to obtain performance tested beef sires in Sweden with the potential for achieving better fertility results.
Authors/Creators: | Eriksson, Pernilla and Lundeheim, Nils and Söderquist, Lennart | ||||||
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Title: | Changes in mean scrotal circumference in performance tested Swedish beef bulls over time | ||||||
Series Name/Journal: | Acta veterinaria Scandinavica | ||||||
Year of publishing : | 2012 | ||||||
Volume: | 54 | ||||||
Number: | 74 | ||||||
Page range: | 1-6 | ||||||
Number of Pages: | 6 | ||||||
Publisher: | BioMed Central | ||||||
ISSN: | 0044-605X | ||||||
Language: | English | ||||||
Publication Type: | Research article | ||||||
Refereed: | Yes | ||||||
Article category: | Scientific peer reviewed | ||||||
Version: | Published version | ||||||
Full Text Status: | Public | ||||||
Agris subject categories.: | L Animal production > L10 Animal genetics and breeding | ||||||
Subjects: | (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 404 Agricultural Biotechnology > Genetics and Breeding (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 403 Veterinary Science > Clinical Science | ||||||
Keywords: | Andrology, Cattle, Genetics, Testicles, Scrotal circumference, Beef bull | ||||||
URN:NBN: | urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-1506 | ||||||
Permanent URL: | http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-1506 | ||||||
Additional ID: |
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ID Code: | 10510 | ||||||
Department: | (VH) > Dept. of Clinical Sciences | ||||||
Deposited By: | SLUpub Connector | ||||||
Deposited On: | 18 Jun 2013 13:55 | ||||||
Metadata Last Modified: | 19 Apr 2015 01:28 |
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