Seasonality in Saint Croix male lamb reproductive development in northern Mexico.
Reprod Domest Anim
; 54(2): 391-400, 2019 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30411411
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the season of birth on the body weight, testicular size, testosterone concentrations, semen output and sexual behaviour in Saint Croix male lambs. Thirty-three lambs were born in spring (n = 10), summer (Sum; n = 12) or autumn (n = 11). Body weight and the scrotal circumference were weekly recorded; semen was also weekly collected by electroejaculation; and sexual behaviour towards oestrous ewes was weekly evaluated. Data were recorded from 15 to 33 weeks of age. The reproductive development of Saint Croix male lambs differed according to the period in which they were born. More lambs born in spring than in summer and autumn achieved puberty during this study and were also more precocious in semen production and displayed sexual behaviour earlier. Lambs born in summer delayed their semen production; however, season-related negative effects were less pronounced at the end of the study than in autumn born lambs born. In conclusion, despite the apparently low seasonality of the breed, Saint Croix male lambs showed in this study a seasonal pattern in their reproductive development at least until they achieve the puberty.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Reproducción
/
Estaciones del Año
/
Semen
/
Oveja Doméstica
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
Mexico
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Reprod Domest Anim
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article