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Seasonal variation in some characteristics of ejaculated spermatozoa of Sudan Desert sheep in the tropics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

K. A. A. Galil  and
A. K. A. Galil
K. A. A. Galil
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Sudan
A. K. A. Galil
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Sudan
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Summary

The Sudan Desert sheep are well adapted to the hot tropical climate, are thirst tolerant and can travel for long distances under nomadic conditions in search of water and pasturage. The ejaculate volume, sperm cell concentration, total number of sperms per ejaculate, motility, percentage live and percentage abnormal spermatozoa and the fructolytic index of semen were estimated throughout the hot dry summer (March-June), hot rainy season (July-October) and the winter (November-February). The semen characteristics were normal for about 7 months (May-November) covering the last 2 months in summer, the whole rainy season and the 1st month in winter and deteriorated slightly during the rest of the winter and early summer. Thus the Sudan Desert rams appear to be able to breed throughout the year and their spermatogenesis is not seriously affected by high environmental temperatures.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 99 , Issue 1 , August 1982 , pp. 35 - 43
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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References

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