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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #433222
Research Project: Applying Nutritional Strategies to Improve Early Embryonic Development and Progeny Performance in Beef Cows

Location: Livestock Bio-Systems

Title: Relationship between maternal antral follicle count and breeding soundness examination results in male progeny of beef cattle

Author
item RAMIREZ, E - University Of Tennessee
item FONTES, PL - University Of Georgia
item SCHRICK, F - University Of Tennessee
item ROSASCO, S - University Of Wyoming
item QUAIL, L - North Dakota State University
item Cushman, Robert
item ZOCA, S - University Of Tennessee

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The beef industry relies heavily on natural service. In an unselected population, 20% of bulls are expected to fail a breeding soundness exam (BSE). Antral follicle count (AFC) and its impact on female fertility has been reported; however, the relationship of dam’s AFC and male offspring fertility still requires investigation. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the dam’s AFC and results of BSE of her male progeny as a yearling (12- to 14-month-old). We hypothesized that females with greater numbers of follicles would produce male progeny with an increased likelihood of passing a BSE. Heifers at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) underwent a pre-breeding ultrasound examination to determine AFC before the start of breeding (~13-month-old). Bulls underwent a BSE by a licensed veterinarian. Data was retrieved from USMARC database from 2012 to 2025. Scrotal circumference, percent motile (Motility), percent of morphologically normal sperm (Normal) and percent passing a BSE were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, with dam AFC classification [High (>27 AFC; n=262), Average (17-27 AFC; n=526), and Low (/= 0.37) on SC; however, SC increased from 12 to 13 months of age (P=0.01; 33.7±0.9 cm, 34.4±0.8cm, respectively), with no difference between 13 and 14 month of age (34.9±0.9 cm; P=0.18). There was an interaction on age by AFC for sperm motility (P = 0.01), indicating that changes in motility with age differed among AFC classes. At 13 months, bulls from low AFC dams had greater motility (60.8±2.4%) than bulls from high AFC dams (54.5±2.5%); however, by 14 months motility increased (60.4±2.7%, 63.4±2.6%, 63.7±2.7%, Low, Average, High, respectively; P >/= 0.15). Morphology was affected by AFC and Age (P0.50). Fewer High bulls (57.3±7.5%; P