Sexual behaviour of young rams is improved and less stressful after intranasal administration of oxytocin.
Domest Anim Endocrinol
; 87: 106837, 2024 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38217918
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine if intranasal administration of oxytocin modifies sexual behaviour and the stress response in young rams during sexual tests with ewes in oestrus. Ten rams were used in a cross-over design. At Day 0, the control group (CG, n = 5) received isotonic saline spray intranasally, and the treated group (OTG, n = 5) received oxytocin (24 IU) intranasally, 40 min before the sexual test. At Day 15, the groups were reversed. In each sexual test (20 min) with an oestrous-induced ewe, the sexual behaviour of the young rams was recorded. Serum cortisol concentrations were determined before and after the test. Less flehmen was observed in the OTG, but mounts with ejaculation were increased. The OTG presented lower serum cortisol concentration than the CG. In conclusion, intranasal administration of oxytocin modified the sexual behaviour of rams, evidenced by a decrease in flehmen behaviour and an increase in mounts with ejaculation, making sexual activity more efficacious. In addition, the treatment decreased the stress response of the rams in the sexual tests. Therefore, intranasal administration of oxytocin could be used to increase sexual activity in rams, and with less stress, providing better welfare conditions.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Hidrocortisona
/
Oxitocina
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Domest Anim Endocrinol
Asunto de la revista:
ENDOCRINOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article