Characteristics and seasonal variations in the semen of Alpine, Saanen and Damascus goat bucks born and raised in Greece.

摘要: Abstract Twenty-three purebred Alpine (n = 8), Saanen 7) and Damascus 8) goat bucks raised at the Institute of Reproduction Artificial Insemination in Thessaloniki, Greece (40 ° 37′ N, 22 58′ E altitude 32 m above sea level), were used to study effect photoperiod on semen production. Samples collected with an artificial vagina examined immediately after collection. In spite variation nearly all characteristics studied among 3 breeds bucks, there was significant seasonal both quantity (volume, concentration total number spermatozoa per ejaculate) quality (percentage motile spermatozoa, percentage abnormal rate progressive motility). The best produced during breeding season (late summer autumn). However, magnitude these effects not sufficient prevent from being for throughout year. Nevertheless, individual differences within a breed make evaluation necessary select most fertile males breeding.