<div>Background: The production of higher number of quality semen doses from the indigenous bulls is required to mitigate the issue of declining population of indigenous cattle breeds. To make the semen production more efficient, the knowledge of factors affecting the semen production is of utmost importance. However, studies on different indigenous breeds are scarcely available and very little information is available on effect of ejaculate number, collection interval, semen collector etc. The present investigation was hence focused to study the effect of different management and environmental factors affecting semen production traits in indigenous breeds.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Semen data comprising of 15,435 ejaculates from 60 bulls of 10 indigenous cattle breeds were analysed for semen production traits. Prior to the analysis, data on initial motility was transformed using the arcsine transformation. Least square analysis was carried out using &ldquo;lm&rdquo; function while ANOVA (Type III sum of square) and Duncan&rsquo;s multiple range test were computed using &ldquo;car&rdquo; and &ldquo;agricolae&rdquo; packages from R statistical software.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The overall means for the semen production traits: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm, initial motility and total motile sperm were 5.62&plusmn;0.041 ml, 1.42&plusmn;0.51&times; 109/ml, 7.96&plusmn;0.25&times; 109/ejaculate, 74.77&plusmn;0.002% and 5.92&plusmn; 0.11 &times; 109/ejaculate, respectively. All traits were significantly affected by order of ejaculate, collection interval, age at collection, breed, semen collector, season and year of collection except collection interval which had no effect on motility. Except initial motility, semen characters showed quadratic pattern over the age. Results of the study would help in suggesting suitable management and breeding plans for semen production traits.</div>

<div>Effect of Management and Environmental Factors on Semen Production Potential of Indigenous Cattle Breeds</div>

The indigenous Madura cattle semen production and quality were evaluated. Total of 2275 semen collection records from 11 bulls were analyzed to evaluate the genetic potency of semen productions. The genetic evaluation was described as an estimation of bull semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm individual motility. Data were analyzed by HGLM-REML with environmental factors of age, seasons, interval of semen collections and frequency of ejaculations as fixed effect. The result showed that the age and the ejaculation frequency affected to all variables; an interval of semen collections affected to both semen volume and sperm concentrations; and seasons only affected to sperm concentrations. Repeatability estimate of semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm individual motility were 0.376, 0.445 and 0.567 respectively. It can be concluded that the quality of ejaculate was less affected by environmental factors, supported by the good adaptation of indigenous Madura cattle under the local climatic conditions and management in the artificial insemination station.

Effect of genetic and environmental factors on semen production&nbsp;and quality of Madura cattle in Indonesia&nbsp;

<div>Background: Zinc is found in very high concentration in semen and male reproductive tract and acts as a hormone receptor modulator for testosterone production in Leydig cells. Thus, it plays a very important role in male reproduction. Moreover, Indian soils are very deficient in zinc as per earlier reports and recent studies have shown that supplementation of zinc has improved qualitative as well as the quantitative aspects of semen quality in bulls. So, a study has been planned to study the effect of organic zinc supplementation on semen production and quality in kankrej bulls. 
 
Methods: A total of 8 healthy Kankrej bulls under semen collection were selected for the study. Basal diet (concentrate mixture, green and dry fodder) was fed during pre-supplementation and zinc propionate @ 100 ppm/bull was supplemented to the basal diet during post-supplementation for a period of 60 days to complete one spermatogenic cycle. A total of 128 ejaculates (64 pre-supplementation and 64 post-supplementation) were collected.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Mean semen volume was non-significant (P&gt;0.05) between the treatment groups. Mean sperm concentration was 1325.68&plusmn;80.08 and 2162.36&plusmn;112.0 million/ml pre- and post-supplementation, respectively. Feeding of zinc propionate significantly (P&lt;0.01) increased semen sperm concentration. The average mass motility of sperms was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher during post-supplementation (3.92%) than the pre-supplementation (3.78%). The overall live sperms were significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher during post-supplementation (73.33&plusmn;0.91%) than the pre-supplementation (63.53&plusmn;1.03%). It may be concluded that supplementation of 100 ppm of zinc propionate in the diet of Kankrej bulls improved semen quality in terms of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of semen.</div>

Effect of Organic Zinc Supplementation on Semen Production and Quality in Kankrej Bulls

<div>Background: Artificial insemination is an important applicable tool in increasing productivity by genetic exploitation through the male line. But farmers or breeders adoption require to be known the detailed cost structure and the nature of the cost function of the new technology. In this paper, therefore an attempt is made to develop a cost structure for frozen semen dose and a representative artificial breeding program in ewes. 
 
Methods: Semen was frozen twice-weekly for a period of a month following traditional box-freezing. Variable and fixed costs associated with the ram management, semen collection, processing and freezing were estimated and used in frozen semen production cost calculation. Cost items estimated as per cost assumption model and used for artificial insemination cost calculation. 
 
Result: The mean production cost of a frozen semen straw was estimated as Tk. 41.66 where ram maintenance cost, semen processing and preservation cost and staff cost shared the maximum expenses were to be 53.69, 12.93 and 33.38%, respectively. The average performance cost of artificial insemination incurred in the study was approximately Tk. 217.31, there in the semen dose, AI pipette and hormone cost covered the top areas of expenses to be 38.34, 23.00 and 19.33%, respectively. The cost estimate of the current study will be of more informative for breeders, stakeholders and researchers in sheep breeding technology.</div>

<div>Developing a Cost Structure of Frozen Semen Production and Performance of Artificial Insemination for Sheep Breeding Program</div>

Background: Understanding genetic and non-genetic factors that influence the quality and quantity of semen production plays a crucial role in determining the reproductive efficiency and genetic progress within the Sahiwal breed. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of genetic and non-genetic factors on the semen production potential of Sahiwal bulls.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Semen ejaculate data, including volume (VOL), sperm concentration per milliliter (CONC), total sperm count per ejaculate (TS), initial motility (INIT) and post-thaw motility (PT), as well as semen quality traits such as hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and acrosome integrity of frozen semen (AIFS), were obtained from 52 Sahiwal bulls. The data spanned from January 2011 to December 2018 and were collected at BAIF&rsquo;s frozen semen station in Jind, Haryana, India. To ensure data reliability, observations beyond the mean&plusmn;4 standard deviations (S.D.) were identified as outliers and subsequently excluded from the study. Two key factors, namely the season of semen collection (winter, summer and monsoon) and the age of bulls at collection (categorized into 12-month intervals ranging from less than 36 months to 156 months), were considered influential factors affecting semen characteristics. To investigate the correlation between bulls (genetic + permanent environmental correlation) and semen parameters, a repeatability animal model was employed, treating the bull as a random effect. The statistical analysis was conducted using WOMBAT software. 
 
Result: The findings revealed that the season of semen collection had a highly significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on VOL, CONC, TS and PT. However, INIT, HOST and AIFS were not influenced (P&gt;0.05) by the season of collection. Furthermore, age at semen collection significantly affected all semen characteristics. VOL and TS exhibited an increasing trend until 72 to 84 months, followed by a decline until 96 to 108 months.

&nbsp;

Evaluation of Genetic and Non-genetic Factors Influencing Semen Production Potential in Sahiwal Bulls

Background: Ovum pick-up, a technique for extracting immature oocytes from antral follicles, with in vitro embryo production, is a way to produce large number of embryos from live donors.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: By transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up, oocytes were collected from large (9-19 mm), medium (4-8 mm) and small (2-3 mm) ovarian follicles of donor cows (n=8). The recovered oocytes were classified as A, B, C, D and E grades. Oocytes were subjected toin vitro maturation, fertilization (with sex sorted semen) and culture. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were recorded on day 4 and day 7 of culture respectively.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Total of 278 follicles were aspirated. The follicles aspirated per cow per OPU session was 12.67&plusmn;1.86. The oocyte recovery rate was 45.31&plusmn;7.35. Mean percentage of grade A, B, C, D and E oocytes was 15.69&plusmn;3.91, 24.97&plusmn;3.02, 37.53&plusmn;3.45, 19.44&plusmn;3.76 and 2.38&plusmn;2.38 respectively. In vitro maturation rate (IVM%) was 91.71&plusmn;2.38% and fertilization rate was 90.18&plusmn;1.52%. Cleavage and blastocyst rates observed was 55.1&plusmn;5.90 and 24.81&plusmn;2.95% respectively. The mean percentages of different grades of embryos observed was, code 1: 21.13&plusmn;2.78, code 2: 14.41&plusmn;3.25, code 3: 19.56&plusmn;4.11 and code 4: 44.9&plusmn;5.90%. Transvaginal ovum pick up can be performed repeatedly without hormonal stimulation. Sex sorted semen can be used for in vitro production of female embryos.

Ovum Pick Up and in vitro Embryo Production using Sex Sorted Semen in Cows

Background: The choice of superior herd sires is essential for genetic improvement in dairy cattle, with sperm quality serving as a key factor. Bull semen&rsquo;s superior qualities are essential for accelerating genetic improvement through AI. These characteristics are affected by several factors, including the environment, management techniques, physiological condition and hereditary factors. This study involved in evaluating genetic and non-genetic factors influencing seminal attributes. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;Data on 1,85,413 ejaculates from nine genetic groups viz. Jersey, Holstein Friesian, crossbred Jersey, crossbred Holstein Friesian, Bargur, Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umblachery and Red Sindhi were collected from four frozen semen stations of Tamil Nadu State. Semen production data viz. ejaculate volume (mL), spermatozoa concentration (million per mL), initial motility (percentage), post-thaw motility (percentage), total initial motile spermatozoa and total post-thaw motile spermatozoa were also examined for various genetic and non-genetic factors affecting them using linear mixed model with repeated measures. 
 
Result:&nbsp;The overall estimated marginal means for Volume of ejaculate, Concentration of spermatozoa, Initial motility, Total initial motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, Total doses per ejaculate, Post-thaw motility and Total post-thaw motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were 3.11 &plusmn; 0.11 (mL), 963 &plusmn; 30.60 (106/mL), 79.50 &plusmn; 1.29 (per cent), 1847 &plusmn; 118 (106), 151.00 &plusmn; 7.20, 51.00 &plusmn; 0.42 (per cent) and 1535 &plusmn; 80.20 (106) respectively.The effect of all genetic and non-genetic factors (farms, ejaculates, period, seasons, age) were observed to be significantly influencing the seminal traits considered in the study. However, the estimated marginal means of each trait displayed varied ranges of mean against non-genetic factors.

Genetic and Non-genetic Factors Influencing Semen Production Traits in Dairy Bulls

Background: In the face of limited resources and changing climatic conditions, a major challenge for agriculturists is to ensure food security while addressing the issue of an ever-growing population. In India, the average productivity of soybean is low as compared to world average due to lack of improved agronomic practices, less importance and mostly grown under rain-fed condition. To bridge this gap, factors of production determining the per-unit production plays a crucial role in crop production. Therefore, in order to identify/evaluate the partial factor productivity and their contribution for better crop growth and individual input use efficiency study was undertaken. 
 
Methods: The field experiments were conducted during Kharif 2020, 2021 and 2022 in Randomized Block Design with seven crop management practices. To know the efficiency of individual crop management practices on growth, yield parameters, yield, economics and output efficiency in terms of partial factor productivity and agronomy efficiency of applied nutrients. 
 
Result: Three-year results concluded that, soybean grown with full package recorded significantly higher seed yield (2277 kg ha-1) over full package excluding weed management (1889 kg ha-1) and full package excluding RDF (2023 kg ha-1). The yield gap was higher with omission of weed management (388 kg ha-1) and omission of RDF (254 kg ha-1). Further, net returns and crop out-put efficiency in terms of partial factor productivity and agronomic efficiency was higher with full package over the omission of the practice. Thus it can be concluded that, for achieving higher productivity, profitability and agronomic efficiency of applied nutrients under full package comprising all crop management practices can be adopted over the years in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.

Efficiency of Factor Productivity and Effect of Individual Input of Production on Growth, Yield and Economics of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Production

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Horticultural crops in Assam play a significant role in contributing towards overall agricultural production of the state. During last two decades, the production of horticultural crops in the state has increased steadily but only a few studies were found on horticultural sector particularly. So, the present study examines the growth and instability in production, productivity and area of horticultural crops in Assam. It also analyzed different factors contributing towards production of horticultural crops in the state and nation.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study is totally based on the secondary sources of data. Various statistical techniques like exponential growth rate, Karl Pearson correlation coefficient etc., are used to examine growth and instability. However, instability is estimated with the help of Cuddy Della Valle index.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The study showed that production and productivity of horticultural crops increased over the period, but, there is instability in production, productivity and area at both state and national level. On the other hand, there is a high positive correlation found between area and production of horticultural crops. Regarding the contribution towards production of horticulture in Assam and in India, area and productivity of horticulture have found high impact respectively.</div>

Instability in Production and Productivity of Horticultural Crops in Assam

<div>Background: Banana (Musa Paradisicia) is considered as one of the most important fruit crop across the globe. India is the largest producer of banana in the world with an output of 29 million tons per year on average. Assam, a state in the north eastern region of India, is one of the major banana producing state in the country. Banana is an important horticulture crop grown in Assam with some significant socio cultural importance. The production of banana in Assam accounts for 2.4 per cent of its total production in the country. 
 
Methods: &nbsp;The paper is an attempt to study the rate of growth and instability of area, production and productivity of banana cultivation in Assam and to compute the relative contribution of area, productivity and their interaction to the change in production of banana in the state. The study is based on secondary data for the period of 2003-04 to 2017-18. Compound annual growth rates are computed for estimating the growth trends of area, production and productivity of banana in Assam whereas Cuddy-Della Valle index of instability is used to estimate the instability. 
 
Result: The results of this study revealed positive growth in area, production and productivity of banana with low instability in the state. The productivity effect has been found marginally greater than the area effect on production of banana in the state during the reference period.</div>

Effect of Management and Environmental Factors on Semen Production Potential of Indigenous Cattle Breeds

Effect of genetic and environmental factors on semen production and quality of Madura cattle in Indonesia