Relationship between levels of peripheral blood testosterone, sexual behavior, scrotal circumference and seminal parameters in crossbred rams
Moghaddam, GholamaliMostafa Pourseif, MohamadAsadpour, RezaAbass Rafat, SeidJafari-Jozani, Raziallah
Background: Measurements of testosterone, scrotal circumference and libido have a great value as indicators of onset of puberty, total semen production, semen quality, control of spermatogenesis, testicular state, pathological conditions of testes and the potential sub-fertility or infertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine relationship between levels of peripheral blood testosterone, sexual behavior, scrotal circumference and seminal parameters in crossbred rams. Materials, Methods & Results: Twelve crossbred and sexually mature rams consisting¬ of three Arkharmerino × Moghani (AM × MG), three Baluchi × Moghani (BL × MG), and three Ghezel × Baluchi (GH × BL) and three Ghezel × Arkharmerino (GH × AM) were used in this study. The scrotal circumference (SC) was measured at monthly intervals. Every two weeks the 12 crossbred rams were evaluated for the degree of libido using three ovariectomized ewes. Sexual behavior of crossbred rams was evaluated in terms of (1) reaction time for the fi rst and second ejaculate (2) time taken for the fi rst and second ejaculate (3) number of mounts for the fi rst and second ejaculation. Ram semen was collected by artifi cial vagina and blood samples were obtained via jugular vein. Soon after the collection, semen characteristics and testosterone plasma were assayed. For estimation of the relationship between genetic group
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