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The Influence of Management, Breed, and Season upon the pH of Bull Semen¹

Iowa State College, Ames

ABSTRACT

A study of the pH of 371 semen samples from 66 bulls in five studs was made over a period of 11 months. A highly significant correlation was found between the pH levels and the individual studs. It would appear that the conditions at the stud exerted a marked effect upon the pH level of semen produced. From one stud to another, the pH levels between the first ejaculations and the second were markedly different, further indicating the effect of individual stud management upon semen production.

A positive correlation was observed between the pH readings taken from the semen of the individual bulls within the different breeds. The semen of individual bulls, irrespective of breed, tended to maintain a constant pH level.

A definite seasonal fluctuation could be recognized as there were marked variations throughout the 11 months of study.

The authors wish to express their appreciation to Dr. G. E. Dickerson, formerly Geneticist with the Regional Swine Breeding Laboratory, Ames, Iowa, now associate professor of animal husbandry, Columbia, Mo., for his assistance in setting up the statistical analyses.

¹ Journal Paper no. J-949 of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station, Ames, Project no. 936.