Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T03:07:20.787Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Male reproductive characteristics of sheep in the Indian arid zone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

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

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
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amir, D. & Volcani, R. (1965 a). Seasonal fluctuations in the sexual activity of Awassi, German Mutton Merino, Corriedale, Border-Leicester and Dorset Horn rams. II. Seasonal changes in semen characteristics. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 64, 121125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Amir, D. & Volcani, R. (1965 b). Seasonal fluctuations in the sexual activity of Awassi, German Mutton Merino, Corriedale, Border–Leicester and Dorset Horn rams. I. Seasonal changes in semen plasma volume and its fructose and citric aoid concentrations. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 64, 115120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Braden, A. W. H., Turnbull, K. E., Mattner, P. E. & Moule, G. R. (1974). Effect of protein and energy content of the diet on the rate of sperm production in rams. Australian Journal of Biological Science 27, 6773.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burton, K. (1956). A study of the conditions and mechanism of the diphenylamine reaction for the colorimetric estimation of deoxyribonucleic acid. Biochemical Journal 62, 315323.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dhillon, J. S., Acharya, R. M. & Singh, R. N. (1979). Factors affecting libido and fertility in rams. Indian Journal of Animal Science 49, 196199.Google Scholar
El-Mikkawi, F., El-Sawaf, S. A., El-Wishy, A. B. & Omar, A. A. (1967). Preliminary investigation of semen picture in three breeds. Veterinary Medical Journal, Cairo 14, 138148.Google Scholar
Galal, E. S. E., El-Gamal, A. A., Aboul-Naga, A. & El-Fouly, M. A. (1978). Male reproductive characteristics of Merino and Ossimi sheep and their crosses. Animal Production 27, 261267.Google Scholar
Hulet, C. V., Blackwell, R. L. & Ercanbrack, S. K. (1964). Observations on sexually inhibited rams. Journal of Animal Science 23, 10951097.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kaushish, S. K. & Sahni, K. L. (1976). Effect of feeding animal protein (egg + milk) and trace elements and provision of cooler climate on libido, semen quality and certain physiological reactions of Russian Merino rams during summer season. Indian Journal of Animal Science 46, 135139.Google Scholar
Lindsay, D. R., Gherardi, P. B. & Oldham, C. M. (1976). The effect of feeding a high protein supplement before joining on testicular volume of rams. Proceedings of International Sheep Breeding Congress (ed. Tomes, G. J., Robertson, D. E. and Lightfoot, R. J.). Perth: W.A.I.T. Press.Google Scholar
Mann, T. (1964). The Biochemistry of Semen and the Male Reproductive Tract, pp. 254261. London: Methuen, New York: John Wiley.Google Scholar
Mittal, J. P. (1980). Seasonal changes in semen characteristics of Marwari and Magra sheep of the Indian desert. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 95, 721724.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mittal, J. P. & Ghosh, P. K. (1979 a). Comparative semen characteristics of Corriedale, Marwari and Jaisalmeri rams maintained under hot arid conditions. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 92, 14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mittal, J. P. & Ghosh, P. K. (1979 b). Comparative performance of indigenous and exotic sheep in the Indian arid zone. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 92, 273276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mittal, J. P. & Ghosh, P. K. (1980). A note on annual reproductive rhythm in Marwari sheep of the Rajasthan desert in India. Animal Production 30, 153156.Google Scholar
Oldham, C. M., Adams, N. R., Gherardi, P. B., Lindsay, D. R. & Mackintosh, J. B. (1978). The influence of level of feed intake on sperm-producing capacity of testicular tissue in the ram. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 29, 173179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pretorius, P. S. (1967). Libido and mating dexterity in rams reared and kept in isolation from ewes. Proceedings of South African Society of Animal Production 6, 208212.Google Scholar
Sahni, K. L. & Roy, A. (1969). Influence of season on semen quality of rams and effects of dilutors and dilutions on in vitro preservation. Indian Journal of Animal Science 39, 114.Google Scholar
Sahni, K. L. & Roy, A. (1972). A note on seasonal variation in semen production of Corriedale and Corriedale × Bikaneri (half-bred) rams under tropical conditions. Indian Journal of Animal Science 42, 99101.Google Scholar
Salisbury, G. W. & Vandemark, N. L. (1961). Physiology of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination of Cattle, pp. 347348. San Francisco and London: W. H. Freeman.Google Scholar
Setchell, B. P., Waites, G. M. H. & Lindner, H. R. (1965). Effect of undernutrition on the testicular blood flow and metabolism and the output of testosterone in the rams. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 9, 149162.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snedecor, G. W. & Cochran, W. C. (1967). Statistical Methods. The Iowa State University Press.Google Scholar
Taneja, G. C. (1966). Fertility in sheep. I. Conception rate in relation to lamb survival. Indian Veterinary Journal 43, 727734.Google ScholarPubMed
Wiggins, E. L., Terril, C. R. & Emik, L. O. (1953). Relationship between libido, semen characteristics and fertility in range rams. Journal of Animal Science 12, 684694.CrossRefGoogle Scholar