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Attention Commercial Bull Buyers
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Facts
About Fat Bulls
(Adapted Simmentaler Journal 2007)
"It has
been shown conclusively that fat accumulation in the neck of the
scrotum insulates the testes. The heat-exchange system in the
spermatic cord becomes ineffective with the presence of fatty
tissue, resulting in a reduction sperm mobility and an increase in
abnormal spermatozoa." (Prof Jan Bonsma).
“The fat bulls in our tests showed a reduction of
50% sperm reserves, half as many motile sperm, one third as many
normal sperm and eleven times less services.”
(Coulter).“High energy rations fed to young bulls
in order to achieve rapid growth rates or fatten the bull for a show
does adversely affect reproductive characteristics of the bull.”
(Richardson).
“Bulls fed high gaining rations often lay down
fat in the scrotum, and this results in lower fertility. The testes
normally maintain a temperature four to six degrees cooler than body
temperature. If fat deposits develop in the neck of the scrotum, the
countercurrent heat exchange, where warm blood from the body is
cooled by the blood in the testes, is disrupted. Sperm production is
not normal at higher temperatures and results in impaired
reproductive traits.” (Pruitt). |
