Association of morphometric and testicular traits with sexual behavior and semen quality parameters in Kajali rams

amit sharma; Priya Dhattarwal; Tanmay Mondal; Dawoud Amir Nehru; Shakti Kant ash; Sandeep Kaswan

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i4.176263

Authors

amit sharma
Priya Dhattarwal
Tanmay Mondal
Dawoud Amir Nehru
Shakti Kant ash
Sandeep Kaswan

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i4.176263

Keywords:

Kajali, Ram, Body measurements, Semen parameters, Sexual behaviour, Testicular traits

Abstract

This study examined associations between qualitative and quantitative body and testicular traits with sexual behaviour and semen characteristics to establish baseline reproductive benchmarks for Kajali breeding rams. Twelve healthy rams (1–3 years) of two colour variants maintained under uniform stall-fed management, were evaluated for body morphometry, comprehensive testicular biometry, sexual behaviour along with semen quality parameters, and qualitative testicular traits such as testicular symmetry, scrotal bipartition, testicular shape. Age group showed statistically significant positive associations with two pre-copulatory behaviours: anogenital sniffing frequency (r = 0.870, p = 0.024) and flehmen response (r = 0.834, p = 0.039). Rear-leg circumference was the only morphometric indicator which showed a strong positive correlation with flehmen response (r = 0.864, p = 0.027). Although, chest girth and paunch girth also showed moderate positive correlation with total semen volume, average sperm motility, and alive sperm percentage. Among testicular parameters, testicular length showed moderate positive correlations with average pawing (r = 0.791, p = 0.061) and with semen traits such as sperm concentration (r = 0.803, p = 0.055). Testicular weight and volume also showed moderate positive correlation with flehmen response (r=0801; p = 0.055). The findings highlight age and specific morphometric as well as testicular traits as meaningful predictors of sexual behaviour and semen quality parameters for selecting superior breeding rams of indigenous breeds under semi-arid conditions.

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