The use of transrectal massage combined with artificial vagina as semen collection in javan banteng (Bos javanicus) bull

¹ Study Program of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of IPB University, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
² Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
³ Taman Safari Indonesia, Cisarua, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: rhinogil@googlemail.com

Abstract

Semen collection in wild animals may be challenging for some methods such as electro ejaculator may cause pain and distress to the animals. Transrectal massage has been widely used in domestic and wild animals semen collection. Even though an artificial vagina may provide a condition that mimics the female reproductive tract and known to provide better results in some species, the application may face obstacles in the field. This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of modified semen collection in banteng bull by combining the transrectal massage method followed by the use of an artificial vagina. The bull was habituated and trained for semen collection in chute under veterinarian supervision in Taman Safari Indonesia, Cisarua, Bogor, West Java. Semen samples from one Javan banteng bull were collected once a week. Banteng bull showed stud and penile protrusion during semen collection. Watery semen with volume ranged from 12 ml were successfully collected, with sperm progressive motility ranged from 25%-40%. Our study also showed sperm abnormalities comprising 18.11% abnormal sperm heads, 28.82% abnormal sperm tails and 0.94% teratoid form. The results demonstrated the possibility of this modified method as an alternative procedure for semen collection in banteng bull which may also be useful for other wild animals in field conditions