Semen quality evaluation of young bulls carrying leukocyte chimerism 60, XX/60, XY

After cytogenetic analysis, 15 bulls were selected as carriers of 60, XX/60, XY chimerism to evaluate the influence of this chromosomal abnormality on reproductive performance. The semen analysis included the following parameters: volume of ejaculate (mL), motility of spermatozoa (%) and sperm concentration/mL x 106. The comparison of the experimental group with control (bulls with normal karyotype) showed significant differences with regard to the volume of ejaculate and highly significant differences with regard to the motility of spermatozoa and sperm concentration. These parameters were lower in the group of bull-carriers. Sperm-FISH technique made it possible to determine similar proportions between spermatozoa with X and Y heterosomes in bulls with karyotype 60, XX/60, XY (ranging from 45% : 55% to 57% : 43%).