Evaluation of semen quality in locally adapted purebred Montbéliarde cattle in Burkina Faso

Évaluation de la qualité de la semence chez des un taureau Montbéliards de race pure localement adapté au Burkina Faso

Abstract

Artificial insemination is a key tool for genetic improvement in low-input livestock systems across sub-Saharan Africa. However, limited data exists on the quality of semen locally produced from exotic purebred bulls under tropical conditions. This study aimed to assess the quality of the semen and freezability of a six-year-old purebred Montbéliarde bull adapted to Burkina Faso. Over an eight-week period, 16 ejaculates were collected twice weekly and assessed for volume, colour, pH, mass and individual motility, morphology, viability, and concentration. Samples meeting quality thresholds were extended to 100 × 10⁶ sperm/mL with AndroMed®, equilibrated at 4 °C, frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor, and thawed at 37 °C. Pre-freeze motility increased from 77.5 ± 5.8% (Week 2) to 90 ± 0.0% (Weeks 7–8), while post-thaw motility ranged from 47.5 ± 5.0% (Week 1) to 75 ± 5.8% (Week 7), with significant cryoinjury only in Weeks 1, 2, and 6. Volume remained stable (4.50–5.88 mL), and concentration varied (0.65–1.19 billion/mL). Correlation and PCA analyses revealed strong associations between pre- and post-thaw motility and temporal stabilization of semen traits. These findings demonstrate that repeated collections improve semen cryotolerance and provide a foundation for enhancing local AI programs.