Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Abstract

This study was conducted on 15 Awassi rams (aged 35 month) with average weight 78.57 ± 0.24 kg to evaluate the effect of using different systems of feeding on body weight, testis dimensions, sexual behavior, testosterone and estrogen concentrations in Awassi rams. The rams were randomly assigned into 3 groups (5 rams / group) and treated for 3 months as following: 1st group: T1 (control): rams was rationed once daily, 2nd and 3rd groups was rationed twice and four times daily respectively. Body weight, Scrotal circumference (Sc) and testis dimensions were measured, the rams were subjected for sexual behavior test at the end of study by using of 3 ewes in estrous cycle. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the study. Results showed that body weight was increased significantly (P≤0.05) in T2 at 3rd month of study, also Sc increased significantly in T2 and T3 as compared with control, also results showed a significant increase in Sc in T2 and T3 in 3rd month as compared with 1st month of treatment, while increased significantly the right and left depth of testis in T2. The most sexual behavior parameters were improved significantly (P≤0.05), kicking, number of serving were increased significantly in T2 , while jumping without serving, jumps for first serving, time for first jump were decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in T2 and T3, also time for first serving is decreased in T2 as compared with other treatments. Testosterone concentration increased significantly in T2 at 2nd and 3rd month of treatment, while estrogen concentration decreased significantly in T2 at 3rd month of treatment. In general, the results of this study showed a significant increase in body weight in T2 which reflected in some of testis dimensions and improvement in sexual behavior parameters with increase in testosterone concentration at 3rd month of treatment.