Relationship between testicular and epididymal biometry compared to semen quality in Yankasa rams

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the testicular and epididymal biometry compare to semen characteristics in Yankasa rams. Fifteen apparently healthy rams aged between 1-2 years with average weight of 20 kg were used for the study. They were acclimated for four weeks, screened and treated against endo and ecto parasite. They were kept in small ruminant pens under zero grazing, fed with hay, ground nut leaves/straw ‘harawa’ and wheat offal with water supplied ad-libitum. The scrotal circumference was measured in centimeters using a measuring tape. The testicular length (L), width (W), depth and epididymal head axis, length and tail axis were measured by caliper and testicular volume and weight were calculated by formula methods. Semen samples were collected using an electro-ejaculator and immediately evaluated for colour, volume, motility, pH, sperm concentration, sperm morphology and live/dead ratio. The right testicular and epidydimal biometry were non-significantly greater than that of the left. Semen parameters correlate positively (right testicules, r=0.225) and (left testicles, r=0.346) with testicular volume except for bent tail, coil tail and motility. The left epididymal head’s long axis and right epididymal tail axis showed significant positive correlation (r= 0.55) with semen parameters and right epididymal head’s long axis and left epididymal tail axis showed negative correlation with semen characteristics. It was concluded that testicular and epididymal biometry increase with increase testicular function and output..

Keywords: Yankasa ram, testicular biometry, epididymal biometry, and semen characteristics