Effect of age on testicular biometry, sexual behaviour and semen characteristics in indigenous goat breeds Khan Asad*, Thakur M.S., Joshi S., Shukla S.N.1, Khare A.2, Khare V., Vandre R.K., Sharma M. Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 001, Madhya Pradesh 1Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 001, Madhya Pradesh 2Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 001, Madhya Pradesh *E-mail address: asadjouravi@outlook.com
Online Published on 12 February, 2024. Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of age on testicular biometry, sexual behaviour and semen characteristics of indigenous goat breeds. Barbari (n=35), Sirohi (n=31) and Black Bengal (n=26) bucks of different age groups (12 to 21, 22 to 31 and 32 to 41 months) were selected from Goat Breeding Farm, Amanala, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur. A total of 10 semen samples were collected from each buck at 3 days interval. It was found that effect of age was significant (P<0.05) on testicular biometry, sexual behaviour and semen characteristics in goat breeds. The effect of breed was significant (P<0.001) on testicular biometry, semen volume and sperm concentration whereas age x breed interaction was significant (P<0.01) for scrotal circumference, testicular volume, testicular weight and abnormal spermatozoa per cent. Age was positively correlated with scrotal circumference (0.574), testicular volume (0.604), anogenital sniffing (0.715), lateral approach (0.729), flehman reaction (0.563), semen volume (0.520), sperm concentration (0.688) and mass motility (0.658). Body weight was also positively correlated with all these characters. In conclusion, Black Bengal, Barbari and Sirohi bucks of 22 to 31 months age, weighing 30.6, 36.0 and 42.4 kg, respectively produced good quality semen. Top Keywords Age, Breed, Buck, Semen characteristics, Sexual behaviour, Testicular biometry. Top |