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Male reproductive characteristics of sheep in the Indian arid zone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. P. Mittal  and
P. K. Ghosh
J. P. Mittal
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Studies, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India
P. K. Ghosh
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Studies, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India
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Summary

The influence of various factors like breed, season, level of nutrition, age and body weight was studied in indigenous (Marwari and Magra) and exotic (Corriedale) rams in respect of semen quality and sexual behaviour under the arid conditions of Jodhpur in the Indian desert. None of these factors except breed and level of nutrition affected semen quality. The breeds differed significantly only in respect of percentage abnormal sperms. The values for all the physical characteristics except sperm concentrations wore slightly lower in the Corriedale. Supplementary concentrate feeding resulted in significantly higher concentrations only of fructose and citric acid in the semen. The physical characteristics of the semen were only slightly superior in the feed-supplemented group of animals. The breeds differed significantly in respect of libido characteristics, with the Corriedale exhibiting the longest reaction time and the lowest number of matings in 30 min. These characteristics were, however, not affected by the other factors mentioned above.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 97 , Issue 2 , October 1981 , pp. 313 - 318
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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