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Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the effect of age and season on body weight, testicular size, Gonadosomatic index (GSI), serum testosterone concentration and semen characteristics of rams used at Artificial Insemination Centre in arid region of Algeria. Semen samples were collected from 6 rams (2-4 years of age) via artificial vagina along the year. The results showed that seasonal variations of sperm characteristics were not significant (p> 0.05), except for color, consistency, pH and mass motility. A significant effect of season on testicular conformation, body weight and serum testosterone levels. Testicular conformation, body weight and serum testosterone levels increased significantly (P< 0.05) during winter and decreased during autumn (P< 0.05). Testicular circumference positively correlated with the testosterone concentration, body weight (BW), mass, individual motility and semen concentration. The BW, testicular size and testosterone concentration increased with age. Furthermore, semen quality was fairly independent of age except for some morphological abnormalities. Despite the seasonal variations affecting sperm quality and quantity, these parameters were within the range regarded as satisfactory for normal fertility

BibTex

@article{uniusa676,
    title={Age and Season Effects on Sexual Parameters in Mature Rams Used in Artificial Insemination Center (Algeria)},
    author={Y. Belkhiri, Farida AFRI, Zoubir BOUZEBDA and C. Mouffok},
    journal={Global Veterinaria}
    year={2017},
    volume={18},
    number={1},
    pages={31-40},
    publisher={}
}