Scrotal testicular and semen parameters in adult male goats submitted to scrotal insulation

Abstract

Ejaculations of twelve adult bucks, six Moxotó breed and six crossbred ½ Moxotó-Alpine Brown, kept in confinement were evaluated prior to and after insulation of scrotal sac through a plastic bag with double wall for 6.5 days. There was seminal degeneration in all animals, showed by reduction of spermatic concentration and drop of the forward individual motility (MIP) associated to high level of sperm morphological abnormalities and hence necrospermy. The MIP reached lower values in three weeks after beginning of the scrotal insulation when sperm vigor was also reduced and sperm abnormalities increased. Seminal degeneration occurred on the 4^th week post-insulation. However, within 56-63 days post-insulation the MIP returned to normality. The sperm abnormalities began to appear seven days after the initiation of insulation. The semen volume oscillated during all experimental period and the increasing heat in the scrotal sac caused a series of physical and morphological changes on seminal cells that altered the semen quality.