Relationships between body weight and scrotal characteristics, and between environmental effects and fertility in Ethiopian Horro rams

1995 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohannes Gojjam ◽  
Solomon Gizaw ◽  
Solomon Abegaz ◽  
C. J. Thwaites
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Higher Weights ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Birth Type

SUMMARYThe relationships between body weight, scrotal characteristics and environmental effects (year, birth type and age) and fertility were studied in a total of 254 Horro rams. Fertility varied between years (P < 0·01), but not with body weight at mating within the range (30–55 kg) observed, nor with type of birth (both P > 0·05).Testicular diameter and circumference were strongly correlated to body weight (r = 0·95 and 0·89 respectively; both P < 0·001), but weight of testes only weakly so (r = 0–28; NS). Scrotal circumference was more highly correlated to body weight in ram lambs (r = 0–85; P < 0–001) than in adults (r = 0·51; p = 0·06).It is concluded that adequate levels of fertility (82 ± 1·3%) are expressed by 30 kg Horro rams, and that when feed supplies are limited there are no benefits to be gained from maintaining rams of this breed at higher weights.

The influence of birth type and sex on rearing of Polish Heath and Żelaźnieńska lambs

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4, Accepted for print) ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
Aurelia Radzik-Rant ◽  
Witold Rant ◽  
Adrianna Bryjak ◽  
Roman Niżnikowski
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Birth Type

<b>The aim of the study was to determine the effect of birth type and sex on lambs survival parameters of polish heath and żelazneńska sheep. The research included data, which was used to determine the prolificacy index, the percentage of live-born lambs and the lambs rearing index up to 100 days of age. A higher prolificacy index (P≤0.01) and a higher percentage (P≤0.01) of reared lambs were determined in the polish heath compared to the żelazneńska sheep. In the herd of the first breed, a greater proportion of twin and more numerous litters than singleton births were noted. Single and twin litters were dominant in the żelazneńskie sheep. The rearing rate of lambs from single litters was at a similar level in both observed breeds. However, in the herd of polish heath sheep, lambs from multiple litters shoved also high rearing rate. Single ram lambs were characterized by higher (P≤0.01) body weight at birth and at 56 days of age compared to twin born and ewe lambs, both in polish heath sheep and żelazneńska sheep. Statistical differences (P≤0.01) in body weight at birth and on 56th day of age were also recorded between twins and triplets in polish heath sheep. The analysis of the distribution of lambs' mortality during the rearing period has shown that the most critical is the first week of life of the born offsprings.</b>

Breed and environmental effects on lamb production in Nigeria

1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Buvanendran ◽  
I. F. Adu ◽  
B. A. Oyejola
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Least Squares Estimates

SUMMARYTwo indigenous breeds of sheep in Nigeria, the Yankasa and Uda and crosses of these with exotic breeds, were evaluated for lamb weights at birth, 3 months and 6 months of age and for adult ewe weight. The cross-bred lambs were significantly (P < 0·05) heavier than the indigenous breeds at all ages. Differences among the indigenous breeds were not significant. Mature ewe weight was 40·8 kg in the cross-bred and 36·0 and 31·1 kg in the Uda and Yankasa respectively, differences between all breeds being significant (P <0·05). Lamb productivity (lamb weight per kg of ewe metabolic body weight) estimates demonstrated that the differences between breeds were small.Least-squares estimates of effects of environmental factors on lamb performance showed that type of birth and age of dam were important for lamb weights at the three ages. Season and sex also had significant effects on birth and 6-month weights respectively. Correction factors for lamb weights were derived from least-squares estimates.The correlation coefficient between birth and 3-month weight was significant in all breeds and ranged from 0·39 to 0·55. Three-month and 6-month weights were highly correlated with estimates of correlation coefficients ranging from 0·71 to 0·74. Repeatability estimates of birth, 3·month, 6·month and ewe weights, all as traits of the ewe in the Yankasa, were 0·25, 0·21, 0·09 and 0·48, respectively.

scholarly journals Die gebruik van anaboliese steroïede by ramlammers

1993 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-7
Author(s):  
J. P. C. Greyling
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Anabolic Steroids ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Body Parameters

The effect of anabolic steroids on certain body parameters in ram lambs was investigated. Twenty Ile de France ram lambs were allocated at random to two groups after weaning (3 months). One group (n = 10) was treated weekly with an intramuscular injection of an anabolic steroid (50 mg nandrolone laurate)for a 12-week period. The second group (n = 10) served as a control. Parameters recorded weekly included scrotal circumference, scrotal volume, shoulder width, body length, shoulder height, body weight and serum testosterone concentration. Treatment with steroids did not significantly increase the mean shoulder width (22,8 vs 22,0 cm), shoulder height (61,7 vs. 60.8 cm), body length (72,8 vs. 70,2 cm) or body weight (42,5 vs. 39,8 kg). Scrotal circumference and volume were significantly (P <0,01) less in the treated group - a decrease of 24,5% and 51,2%. respectively.

scholarly journals Development of testicular dimensions and size, and their relationship to age and body weight in growing Kivircik (Western Thrace) ram lambs

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Koyuncu ◽  
S. Kara Uzun ◽  
S. Ozis ◽  
S. Duru
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Body Growth ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Birth Type ◽  
Intensive System

Forty-seven Kivircik ram lambs, aged 2 months, raised and managed under an intensive system were used to measure the development of testis diameter and length, and scrotum circumference, length and volume, and their association with the development of body growth. The effects of age and body weight of lambs, type of birth and dam age on the development of the five testicular parameters from weaning at 2&ndash;6 months of age were investigated. In ram lambs, the respective least-squares means of testis measurements: testis diameter, testis length, scrotum circumference, scrotum length and scrotum volume were 2.55 &plusmn; 0.099 cm, 5.83 &plusmn; 0.165 cm, 15.23&nbsp;&plusmn; 0.650&nbsp;cm, 7.24 &plusmn; 0.287 cm and 87.57 &plusmn; 5.921 cm<sup>3 </sup>at 2 months; and 2.99 &plusmn; 0.099 cm, 6.59 &plusmn; 0.164 cm, 14.24&nbsp;&plusmn; 0.657 cm, 10.60 &plusmn; 0.290 cm and 157.49 &plusmn; 5.987 cm<sup>3</sup> at 6 months. The effect of birth type on testis diameter and the effect of dam age on testis length were significant (P &lt; 0.05 and P &lt; 0.01), besides the effects of lamb age and live weight of lambs on the whole testis measurements were significant (P &lt; 0.01). &nbsp;

scholarly journals Effect of transient early hyperthyroidism on onset of puberty in Suffolk ram lambs

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 639-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
AH Fallah-Rad ◽  
ML Connor ◽  
RP Del Vecchio
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽  
Factor I ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Growth Factor I

The thyroid function and sexual development of eight 6-week-old Suffolk ram lambs were studied. The lambs were divided into either control or treatment groups and housed indoors. From 6 to 12 weeks of age, four lambs in the treatment group received 15 mg kg(-1) body weight per day of 6-propyl 2-thiouracil orally to suppress normal thyroid function. During the same period, thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine were injected s.c. at the rate of 8 and 16 microg kg(-1) body weight per day, respectively, to induce a hyperthyroid state. Four control lambs received sham injection and oral excipient. Concentrations of thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine, FSH, testosterone and insulin-like growth factor I were determined in blood collected by indwelling jugular catheters once a week, every 20 min from 09:00 to 15:20 h. Scrotal circumference was recorded each week. Semen collection was attempted by electro-ejaculation between weeks 17 and 36. Lambs were castrated at week 36 and testicular histology was examined. During the treatment period only, the concentration of thyroid hormones was higher in treated lambs than in controls (P < 0.05). From week 6 to week 9 only, concentrations of FSH in treated lambs were lower than in controls (P < 0.05). Insulin-like growth factor I concentrations were lower in treated lambs than in controls from week 10 to week 13 (P < 0.05). Frequency of testosterone pulses was higher (P < 0.01) in the treated lambs but concentrations were similar in the control and treated lambs throughout the experiment. Scrotal circumference was greater in treated lambs from week 26 to week 36 (P < 0.05). Treated lambs produced viable spermatozoa earlier than did control lambs. At week 36, sperm concentration in treated lambs was higher than in controls (P < 0.01) but semen volumes were similar (P > 0.1). Diameter of the seminiferous tubules in treated lambs was larger than in controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, transient neonatal hyperthyroidism decreased FSH and insulin-like growth factor I concentrations temporarily, increased testosterone pulses and sperm production and advanced puberty in Suffolk ram lambs.

Detection of chromosomal segments underlying scrotal circumference in ram lambs and age at onset of puberty in ewe lambs

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1018
Author(s):  
A. K. Esmailizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Age At Onset ◽  
Interval Mapping ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Phenotypic Standard Deviation ◽  
East Of Iran ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Highly Correlated

Scrotal circumference (SC) is highly correlated with total sperm production and quality of the produced semen. In ewe lambs, puberty is an important reproductive trait and extreme delay in reaching puberty will have a negative effect on breeding efficiency. To identify genomic regions (QTL) underlying variation in SC and age at onset of puberty in ewe lambs (AP), a whole genome scan was performed with 169 microsatellites covering the ovine autosomes. Progeny (360 animals) from six half-sib families in a population of Kermani sheep, an indigenous fat tailed sheep breed in south-east of Iran, were recorded for SC and AP. Linkage analysis using the interval mapping approach indicated a total of 21 QTL for the studied traits on nine chromosomes (OAR1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 18 and 24), including a 5% genome wide significant QTL for SC on OAR5. There was evidence for the overlap of QTL affecting SC and AP on OAR5 and OAR9. The size of the QTL effect ranged from 0.8 to 1.6 in units of the phenotypic standard deviation. Although QTL for testis size in ram lambs have been mapped, this is the first report of QTL for age at onset of puberty in ewe lambs. Pursuing the underlying causes of these QTL may shed light on the molecular aspects of male and female reproductive development in sheep.

scholarly journals Body Weight and Scrotal-Testicular Biometry in Three Indigenous Breeds of Bucks in Arid and Semiarid Agroecologies, Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amare Eshetu Gemeda ◽  
Kefelegn Workalemahu
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Linear Combinations ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Testicular Weight ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

The body weight and testicular and epididymal parameters of Afar, Long-eared Somali (LES), and Woyto-Guji (WG) breeds of goat were investigated. A total of 405 randomly selected bucks of Afar (n=135), Long-eared Somali (n=135), and Woyto-Guji (n=135) were included in this study. The overall mean scrotal circumference (SC), testicular volume (TV), testicular length (TL), testicular weight (TW), body weight (BW), epididymal weight (EW), body condition score, and testicular diameter (TD) measurements in all bucks were 20.8±1.94 cm, 68.1±6.18, 4.96±0.79 cm, 70.0±5.66 g, 22.1±2.98 Kg, 9.09±1.88 g, 2.55±0.68, and 4.28±0.45 cm, respectively. Significant (p<0.05) breed differences in SC, TD, TL, TW, BW, EW, and TV were recorded. Long-eared Somali (LES) breed was heaviest and Afar breed was the lightest and Woyto-Guji (WG) had the average BW. In all breeds, the parameters were positively correlated. In Afar breed, the TW had a significant correlation with BW (r=0.90) and SC (r=0.65). In LES BW was highly correlated with TD (r=0.96) and TL (r=0.96). In WG, TW was significantly correlated with TD (r=0.94), EW (r=0.90), TL (r=0.89), and BW (r=0.82). In multiple regression analysis the linear combinations of BCS, SC, and BW significantly predicted TW, TL, TV, TD, and EW in all breeds. In conclusion, Long-eared Somali breed displayed greater BW and scrotal and testicular traits.

Genetic relationships between predicted and dissected carcass composition in Scottish Blackface sheep

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Intermuscular Fat ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Lean Weight

Carcass composition was measured on 133 Blackface ram lambs from a flock divergently selected for predicted carcass lean proportion. Prediction equations for different carcass components were developed using combinations of live weight and ultrasonic backfat and muscle depth. Both carcass lean and carcass fat proportion were best predicted using only live weight and fat depth, and a genetic transformation of the equation predicting carcass lean proportion was highly correlated (genetic correlation = 0·97) with the index on which the sheep were selected. Weights of carcass tissues were more accurately predicted than proportions. Lean weight was best predicted using live weight and muscle depth, and the weights of different fat components were best estimated using live weight, muscle depth and fat depth.The equations predicting carcass lean proportion, carcass fat proportion, lean mass and fat mass had heritabilities of 0·29, 0·27 0·20 and 0·23, respectively. Heritabilities for carcass lean and carcass fat proportions, and the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat components were 0·43, 0·48, 0·24 and 0·49, respectively. Genetic correlations of the equation predicting carcass lean proportion with lean and fat proportions were 0·52 (s.e. 0·21) and –0·45 (s.e. 0·22), respectively. The same correlations for the equation predicting carcass fat proportion were –0·47 (s.e. 0·22) and 0·57 (s.e. 0·21). The equations predicting carcass lean and fat proportions were strongly correlated with subcutaneous fat proportion but weakly genetically correlated with intermuscular fat proportion.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF PLANE OF NUTRITION AND REARING METHOD ON YANKASA LAMBS: GROWTH RATE, SCROTAL DEVELOPMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 101-104
Author(s):  
G. N. Akpa ◽  
N. I. Dim ◽  
O. A. Osinowo ◽  
E. O. Oyedipe
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Rearing Method ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Rearing Methods ◽  
Daily Gain

The study examined the effects of plane of nutrition and rearing method on growth rate, increase in scrotal size; and age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty, in Yankasa ram lambs. Thirty-six ram lambs and 18 ewe lambs with mean age and body weight of 1453±17.7 days and 10.1 1±2.6kg respectively were used for the four-month trial. Animalswere randomised in a 3x2 factorial design with plane of nutrition at 3 levels (low, medium and high) and rearing method at 2 levels (males alone and mixture of males and females). Plane of nutrition had bighly significant (P<0.01) effect on average daily gain (ADG). Animals on the low, medium and high planes gained daily  66.8±5.5, 77.8±5.6 and 89.0±5.6 respectively. Effects of plane of nutrition and rearing methods on changes in scrotal circumference were not significant. Age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty in the ram lambs averaged 232.5±12.7 days, 18.3±0.4 kg and 22.7±3.1 cm respectively. Body weight at puberty averaged 17.2±1.7, 18.6±0.9 and 19.0±1.4 kg for animals fed low, medium and high planes of nutrition respectively.

scholarly journals Scrotal Circumference and Its Relationship with Testicular Growth, Age, and Body Weight in Tho Tho (Bos indicus) Bulls

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Perumal
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Selection Criterion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Group I ◽  
Highly Correlated

The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the scrotal circumference and testicular parameters with body weight and age in Tho Tho bulls (Bos indicus), which were maintained at around the villages of National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR), Jharnapani, Nagaland, India. A total of 32 Tho Tho bulls were selected and divided into four groups according to their age and each group consisted of 8 bulls, namely, Group I: 18–24 months (n=8), Group II: 25–36 months (n=8), Group III: 37–48 months (n=8), and Group IV: 49 months and above (n=8). The scrotal circumference and testicular parameters were measured with caliper and tape and age of animals was calculated with dental formula. The body weight of bulls was estimated with Shaeffer’s formula. Result revealed that the scrotal circumference was highly correlated with testicular parameters and body weight compared to age. Compared to exotic cattle (Bos taurus), Tho Tho bull’s testicular parameters and scrotal circumference were lower. The results of the present study in Tho Tho bulls revealed that scrotal circumference is a useful indicator and is an important selection criterion to determine the testicular development and breeding soundness in young bulls as it is highly correlated with tesicular parameters.

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