Scrotal thermoregulation and sequential sperm abnormalities in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) under short-term heat stress

Abstract Heat stress reduces the reproductive capacity of bulls raised in tropical climate. However, the reestablishment of scrotal thermoregulation and the dynamics of sperm defects emergence after stress are not completely known in buffaloes. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term heat stress over scrotal thermoregulation and sperm attributes, relating them to spermatogenesis stages. Five buffalo bulls went through scrotal insulation during 48 h (from day 0 to day 2). Semen samples were collected every 7 days (from day −7 to day 49) and analyzed about the progressive motility, viability, and sperm morphology. Heat stress significantly destabilized scrotal thermoregulation (P