Characterization of sexual behavior in hair rams subjected to two controlled matings during the reproductive season
Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the sexual behavior in rams according to their social hierarchy grouped in pairs in two mating seasons with a duration of 30 days each. 12 adult rams distributed in pairs (6 pairs/breeding season) were used, where each group made up of 17 and 18 ewes introduced a dominant and a subordinate ram. Sexual behaviour was visually evaluated for 4 hours/day for each group of rams. There were no differences in terms of Hierarchy, except for Flehmen (<0.0001). For the breeding season and the group of rams, there were statistical differences (P<0.05) in body live and scrotal circumference, and sexual inspection characteristics. The breeding week affected each of the sexual behavior variables (P<0.05). There were interactions for the group of rams with the hierarchy of season and week of breeding (P<0.05), but not for the hierarchy with season and week of breeding. It is concluded that the groups of rams where the dominant and the subordinate were evaluated vary throughout the season and week of breeding and therefore adapt to stress conditions under a controlled pen breeding scheme.
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