Keywords :
Atlas brown breed, bulls, sperm parameters, semen preservation, Algeria
Abstract :
[en] The Atlas brown breed, although dominant within the national herd and well adapted to local climatic conditions, remains underutilized in terms of reproductive and productive performance. This study aimed to characterize the sperm quality of six bulls of this breed, aged 18 to 24 months, based on the analysis of 103 ejaculates. The evaluated parameters included volume, motility, pH, sperm concentration, enzymatic activity (methylene blue test), fructose concentration, as well as sperm vitality and abnormalities. Analyses, conducted using classical methods (microscopy,
spectrophotometry, vital staining), showed generally satisfactory results: an average volume of 3.7 mL, progressive motility of 77.7%, a concentration of 0.65 × 10⁹spermatozoa/mL, and a pH of 6.7. Storage at +4 °C revealed significant correlations (P < 0.01) with most evaluated parameters: positive correlations with motility, pH, fructose concentration, and redox potential, and negative correlations with mortality and sperm abnormalities. These findings highlight the reproductive potential of the Atlas brown breed and underscore the importance of systematic andrological evaluation in genetic
improvement programs and the conservation of local breeds.
