An Overview of Performance and Influencing Factors of Frozen Semen Producers in Indonesia

Abstract

In Indonesia, there are 21 frozen semen producers, each with a different stud herd, diluent type, and production target.  The present study was conducted to evaluate the performance of these producers.  A survey method was employed, utilising a questionnaire (via Google Forms) completed by 21 laboratory personnel from frozen semen producers in Indonesia.  The collected data were analysed descriptively and presented as numbers and percentages.  The study revealed that producers' performance varied, with the number of laboratory workers ranging from 1 to more than 5, and that men and women (76.19%) were the dominant group.  The laboratory personnel's educational backgrounds were predominantly in animal science (54.29%), while the number of bulls owned ranged from less than 10 to more than 200 (90.48% and 9.52%, respectively).  The bulls kept were primarily exotic and local cattle (76.19% of the total).  The most commonly used diluents were homemade (71.43%), and semen dilution was predominantly performed in a single step.  The sperm concentration of fresh semen was measured by 100% of producers using a photometer (SDM or AccuCell); however, internal calibration was performed by 71.43% of producers.  Moreover, the evaluation of frozen semen quality focused predominantly on post-thaw motility (100%), with only 61.90% of producers calculating sperm concentration.  Furthermore, supplementary assessments, including sperm viability and morphology, were conducted in only 52.38% of cases, with only 4.76% of producers assessing sperm plasma membrane integrity.  The proportions of frozen semen samples that exceeded, met, or did not meet the SNI were 80.95%, 14.29%, and 4.76%, respectively.