animals Article Bayesian Linear Regression Modelling for Sperm Quality Parameters Using Age, Body Weight, Testicular Morphometry, and Combined Biometric Indices in Donkeys Ana Martins-Bessa 1,2,3,* , Miguel Quaresma 1,2,3 , Belén Leiva 4, Ana Calado 1,2 and Francisco Javier Navas González 5 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
[email protected] (M.Q.);
[email protected] (A.C.) 2 CECAV, Animal and Veterinary Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal 3 Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal 4 AEPGA-Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys, Atenor, 5225-011 Miranda do Douro, Portugal;
[email protected] 5 Genetics Department, Veterinary Sciences, Rabanales University Campus, University of Córdoba, Madrid-Cádiz Km. 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +351-2593-50634 Simple Summary: The prediction of sperm output and other reproductive traits based on testicular biometry is an important tool in the reproductive management of stallions. Nevertheless, correspond- ing research in donkeys remains scarce. Several donkey breeds in Europe face a compromising threat of extinction, which has been accelerated by the low renovation of populations and their inbreeding levels. Although research on female reproductive physiology has made crucial advances, much Citation: Martins-Bessa, A.; less is known about the physiology of the male. In the present work, two Bayesian models were Quaresma, M.; Leiva, B.; Calado, A.; built to predict for sperm output and quality parameters in donkeys.