Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-4rdrl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-23T02:34:33.052Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Male reproductive characteristics of Merino and Ossimi sheep and their crosses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

E. S. E. Galal ,
A. A. El-Gamal ,
A. Aboul-Naga  and
M. A. El-Fouly
E. S. E. Galal
Affiliation:
University of Ain Shaims and Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt
A. A. El-Gamal
Affiliation:
University of Ain Shaims and Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt
A. Aboul-Naga
Affiliation:
University of Ain Shaims and Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt
M. A. El-Fouly
Affiliation:
University of Ain Shaims and Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt
Get access

Abstract

The effects of breed type and season on semen quality and libido were examined. Tests were carried out in autumn, winter, spring and summer using 47 rams of five breeding groups, namely the the Fleisch Merino, the Ossimi, the first cross and the two parental backcrosses. All the rams were born and reared locally.

Except for the percentage of abnormal sperm cells and time to first mount, semen quality and libido were not affected by breed type. There was little consistent evidence of heterosis in any of the traits examined. All traits except time to first mount were significantly affected by season. Semen was of better quality in autumn and spring than in winter and summer. With one exception all aspects of libido were depressed in winter.

Breed × season interactions were significant in six of the 10 traits studied but showed no consistent trends.

The reproductive performance of Merino rams was not adversely affected by the environment. This indicates the feasibility of introducing new breeds so far as semen quality and male libido are concerned.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , December 1978 , pp. 261 - 267
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1978

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

REFERENCES

Aboul-Naga, A., Eltawil, E. E., Galal, E. S. E., Labban, F. and Khishin, S. S. 1972. The effect of crossing Merino with Ossimi and Barki sheep on some productive traits. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 78: 275–280.Google Scholar
Aboul-Naga, A. and Galal, E. S. E. 1973. A note on the effect of interbreeding among backcrosses of sheep breeds. Anim. Prod. 16: 87–90.Google Scholar
Brückner, G. and Baure, H.-J. 1972. [The continuous production of ram semen.] Tierzucht 26: 434–437.Google Scholar
Cupps, P. T., McGowan, B., Rahlmann, D. F., Reddon, A. R. and Weir, W. C. 1960. Seasonal changes in the semen of rams. J. Anim. Sci. 19: 208–213.Google Scholar
El-Mikkawi, F., El-Sawaf, S. A., El-Wishy, A. B. and Omar, A. A. 1967. Preliminary investigation of semen picture in three breeds. Vet. med. J., Cairo 14: 138–148.Google Scholar
El-Wishy, A. B., El-Sawaf, S. A., El-Mikkawi, F. and Omar, A. A. 1971. Monthly and seasonal variation in sexual activity of male Damascus goats. Indian J. Anim. Sci. 41: 562–569.Google Scholar
Frank, A. H. 1961. Artificial insemination in livestock breeding. US Department of Agriculture, Circular No. 567.Google Scholar
Hulet, C. V., Blackwell, R. L. and Ercanbrack, S. K. 1964. Observations on sexually inhibited rams. J. Anim. Sci. 23: 1095–1097.Google Scholar
Jackson, C. and Williams, H. L. 1973. The effect of imposed light rhythms on semen production of Suffolk rams. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 81: 179–188.Google Scholar
Kirk, R. E. 1968. Experimental Design Procedures for Behavioural Sciences, pp. 277–279. Brooks/Cole Publ. Co., California.Google Scholar
Land, R. B. 1969. The mating behaviour and semen characteristics of Finnish Landrace and Scottish Blackface rams. Anim. Prod. 12: 551–560.Google Scholar
McDonald, I. W. 1961. Physiological limitations on reproduction in sheep. Aust. vet. J. 4: 99–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McKenzie, F. F. and Berliner, V. 1937. The reproductive capacity of rams. Res. Bull. Mo. agric. Exp. Stn, No. 265.Google Scholar
Moule, G. R. 1970. Australian research into reproduction in rams. Anim. Breed. Abstr. 38: 185–202.Google Scholar
Moule, G. R., Braden, A. W. H. and Lamond, D. R. 1963. The significance of oestrogens in pasture plants in relation to animal production. Anim. Breed. Abstr. 31: 139–157.Google Scholar
Moule, G. R. and Waits, G. M. H. 1963. Seminal degeneration in the ram and its relation to the temperature of the scrotum. J. Reprod. Fert. 5: 433–446.Google Scholar
Pretortus, P. S. 1967. [Libido and mating dexterity in rams reared and kept in isolation from ewes.] Proc. S. Afr. Soc. Anim. Prod. 6: 208–212.Google Scholar
Sahni, K. L. and Roy, A. 1969. Influence of season on semen quality of rams and effects of dilutors and dilutions on in vitro preservation. Indian J. Anim. Sci. 39: 1–14.Google Scholar
Sahni, K. L. and Roy, A. 1972. A note on seasonal variation in semen production of zCorriedale and Corriedale x Bikaneri (half-bred) rams under tropical conditions. Indian J. Anim. Sci. 42: 99–101.Google Scholar
Smyth, P. and Gordon, I. 1967. Seasonal and breed variations in the semen characteristics of rams in Ireland. Ir. vet. J. 21: 222–233.Google Scholar
Symington, R. B. 1961. Studies on the adaptability of three breeds of sheep to a tropical environment modified by altitude. V. The annual fluctuation in breeding ability of rams maintained on Rhodesian highveld. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 56: 165–171.Google Scholar
Whttehead, P. E. and McEwan, E. H. 1973. Seasonal variation in the plasma testosterone concentration of reindeer and caribou. Can. J. Zool. 51: 651–658.CrossRefGoogle Scholar