This study evaluated the reproductive potential of 20 Nelore bulls, submitted to different bull:cow ratio. Correlations among the serum testosterone concentration, scrotal circumference, sperm quality and libido were also estimated. The bulls selected by andrologic evaluation and the libido test were alloted to the following bull:cow ratio (treatments): 1:25 (T1), 1:50 (T2), 1:75 (T3) e 1:100 (T4), with five replicates per treatment. Blood samples were collected to determine serum testosterone concentration. Semen physical and morphologic characteristics, scrotal circumference and libido of the bulls did not differ among treatments. The pregnancy rate of the cows was not affected by treatments (means of 42.1, 66.5 and 71.0 % for breeding season of 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively). The testosterone concentration was not affected by treatments and the mean serum testosterone concentration was 4.04ng/ml, which peaked at 9am. The correlations between the libido, semen physical and morphologic characteristics, and the scrotal circumference of the bulls were low. Nelore bulls with good sperm quality and libido supported a large number of cows, and the bull:cow ratio of 1:100 did not reduce the pregnancy rate.
andrologic evaluation; bull:cow ratio; fertility; libido; testosterone
