The effect of protein intake on the onset of puberty in Bunaji and Friesian × Bunaji crossbred bulls in Nigeria

Abstract Twenty-one Bunaji (BJ) bulls and 21 Friesian × Bunaji (FR×BJ) crossbred bulls, approximately 6 mo of age were divided after weaning into two groups and fed isocaloric rations (2.40 ME Mcal/Kg/DM) containing crude protein levels of 14.45% (high protein) and 8.51% (low protein) for a period of 16 mo to determine the effect of protein intake on puberty. Animals on high protein diets ejaculated first motile spermatozoa and attained puberty at significantly (P 0.05) differences in withers height or volume of semen at puberty for the two protein diets.