Effect of Season on Acrosome Status in the Bull

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Abstract
Weekly ejaculates were collected from four dairy bulls for 56 weeks to study possible effects of season on acrosomal aging. Interrelationships between changes in the acrosomal state and other ejaculate characteristics as well as relationships to combined effects of wind and cold tem- perature were studied. There was signifi- cant (P < .05) weekly and monthly vari- ation in the percentage of aged acrosomes w/th late fail and winter conditions ap- parently being the more detrimental trees. An increase in pH was associated with a decrease in nonaged acrosomes (r = -- .29, P < .05). Acrosomal status appears to be independent of other ejaculate evaluation criteria. A decrease in the wind chill index 2 weeks prior to collection was associated with a decrease in nonaged acrosomes,