Body Measurement of Red Sokoto Bucks in Nigeria and Their Relationship with Testicular Biometrics

Subject Areas : Camel

E.O. Ajao ¹ , M.O. Akinyemi ² , E.O. Ewuola ³ , O.H. Osaiyuwu ^{4 *}

1 - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2 - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
3 - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
4 - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Received: 2013-12-13 Accepted : 2014-04-15 Published : 2014-12-01

Keywords: age, body measurements, body condition score, epididymal biometrics, Red Sokoto buck, testicular,

Abstract :

Ninety Red Sokoto bucks were used to assess the relationship between body, testicular and epididymal measurements in three age groups (group 1: 7-12 months; group 2: between 1 and 2 years and group 3: older than 2 years). The effect of age on body and testicular / epididymal measurements was analyzed. A predictive model was developed for each of the testicular / epididymal measurements using live body measurements. Age of the buck had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the body weight, paunch girth, scrotal circumference, testicular and epididymal measurements (testicular volume, testicular weight, caput weight and caudal weight). Higher correlation coefficients were recorded between testicular volume and testicular weight and between caput weight and epididymal weight in all groups (group 1: r=0.99 and r=0.95; group 2: r=0.97 and r=0.95; group3: r=0.97 and r=0.93, respectively). Scrotal circumference was found to be independently related to some testicular and / or epididymal measurements in groups 1 and 2. In the multivariate linear regression model, all body parameters used were found to be related to some of the testicular and epididymal measurements. The results indicated that selection for replacement breeding bucks could be done for bulks up to two years of age using data on scrotal circumference.

References:

Adedeji O.S. and Gbadamosi A.J. (1999). Relationship of scrotal circumference to age, body weight and the right and left scrotal length in the red Sokoto goats. Pp. 21-25 in Proc. 26^th Ann. Conf., Nigerian Soc. Anim. Prod., Ilorin, Nigeria
Agga G.E., Udala U., Regassa F. and Wudie A. (2011). Body measurements of bucks of three goat breeds in Ethiopia and their correlation to breed, age and testicular measurements. Small Rumin. Res. 95(2), 133-138.
Al Ghalban A.M., Tabbaa M.J. and Kridli R.T. (2004). Factors affecting semen characteristics and scrotal circumference in Damascus bucks: technical note. Small Rumin. Res. 53, 141-149.
Alphonsus C., Akpa G.N., Sam I.M., Agubosi O.C.P., Finangwai F.I. and Mukasa C. (2010). Relationship of parity and some breeding characteristics in red Sokoto goats. Contin. J. Anim. Vet. Res. 2, 25-30.
Bindon B.M. and Piper L.R. (1976). Assessment of new and traditional techniques of selection for reproduction rate. Pp 387-401 in Proc. Sheep Breed. Int. Cong., Muresk, Perth, WA, Inst., Perth.
Bongso T.A., Jainudeen M.R. and Zahrah A.S. (1982). Relationship of scrotal circumference to age, body weight and onset of spermatogenesis in goats. Theriogenology. 18(5), 513-524.
Coulter G. and Foote R. (1979). Bovine testicular measurements as indicators of reproductive performance and their relationship to productive traits in cattle: a review. Theriogenology. 2, 298-311.
Chacon J., Perez E., Muller E., Söderquist L. and Rodriguez-Martinez H. (1999). Breeding soundness evaluation of extensively managed bulls in Costa Rica. Theriogenology. 52, 221-231.
Daudu C. (1984). Spermatozoa output, testicular sperm reserve and epididymal storage capacity of the Red Sokoto goats indigenous to northern Nigeria. Theriogenology. 21, 317-324.
Hassan A. and Ciroma C. (1990). Body weight measurements relationship in Nigerian Red Sokoto. Pp. 428-432 in Proc. 1^th Biennial Conf. African Small Rumin. Res. Networks, ILRAD, Nairobi, Kenya.
Kirkwood B.R. and Sterne J.A.C. (2003). Essential Medical Statistics. Blackwell Publishing Company, Massachusetts, USA.
Mekasha Y., Tegegne A. and Rodríguez-Martínez H. (2007). Effect of supplementation with agro-industrial by-products and khat (Catha edulis) leftovers on testicular growth and sperm production in Ogaden bucks. J. Vet. Med. A. 54, 147-155.
MekashaY., Tegegne A., Abera A. and Rodriguez-Martinez H. (2008). Body size and testicular traits of tropically-adapted bucks raised under extensive husbandry in Ethiopia. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 43(2), 196-206.
Morris C., Baker R. and Cullen N. (1992). Genetic correlation between pubertal traits of males and life time pregnancy rate in beef cattle. Livest. Prod. Sci. 39, 291-297.
Raji A.O., Igwebuike J.U. and Aliyu J. (2008). Testicular biometry and its relationship with body weight of indigenous goats in semi-arid region of Nigeria. ARPN J. Agric. Biol. Sci. 3, 6-9.
Rege J.E., Toe F., Mukasa-Mugerwa E., Tembely S., Anindo D., Baker R.L. and Lahlou-Kassi A. (2000). Reproductive characteristics of Ethiopian highland sheep. II. Genetic parameters of semen characteristics and their relationships with testicular measurements in ram lambs. Small Rumin. Res. 37(3), 173-187.
SAS Institute.(1999). SAS^®/STAT Software, Release 6.11. SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC.
Schoeman S.J., Els H.C. and Combrink G.C. (1987). A preliminary investigation into the use of testis size in cross-bred rams as a selection index for ovulation rate in female relatives. South African J. Anim. Sci. 17, 144-147.
Toe F., Rege J., Mukasa-Mugerwa E., Tembely S., Anindo D., Baker R. and Lahlou-Kassi A. (2000). Reproductive characteristics of Ethiopian highland sheep. I. Genetic parameters of testicular measurements in ram lambs and relationship with age at puberty in ewe lambs. Small Rumin. Res. 36(3), 227-240.
Ugwu S.O.C. (2009). Relationship between scrotal circumference, in situ testicular measurements and sperm reserve in West African dwarf bucks. African J. Biotechnol. 8, 1354-1357.
Walkley J.R.W. and Smith C. (1980). The use of physiological traits in selection for litter size in sheep. J. Reprod. Fertil. 59, 83-88.
Wilson R. and Durkin R. (1984). Age at permanent incisor eruption in indigenous goats and sheep in semi-arid Africa. Livest. Prod. Sci. 11, 451-455.
Yoseph M.G. (2004). Reproductive traits in Ethiopian male goats Ph D. Thesis. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Swed.