J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1957. 16:328-334.
© 1957 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Exposure to High Environmental Temperature and Shearing on Semen Production of Rams in Winter1

R. H. Dutt and Paul T. Hamm

University of Kentucky, Lexington

Abstract

Six rams of proven breeding ability were randomized equally into a control group and two experimental groups. One of the latter was sheared and the other was left unsheared. Both experimental groups were placed in a heated room at 90° F. and relative humidity 60 to 65%, for one week in the month of January. Physiological responses during the experimental period and subsequent changes in semen characters may be summarized as follows:

  1. Body temperature showed a more pronounced increase in unsheared rams than in sheared.
  2. Pulse rate increased in the sheared rams but was not affected appreciably in the unsheared.
  3. Respiration rate showed a marked increase in both experimental groups, being higher in the unsheared.
  4. Volume of semen changed very little as a result of treatment.
  5. Motility of sperm was affected adversely, especially in the unsheared group which showed the lowest percentage of motile cells during the fifth week after treatment.
  6. Abnormal cells increased in both experimental groups, especially in the unsheared which attained their maximum in the fifth week after treatment.
  7. Sperm cell concentration decreased more appreciably in the unsheared than in the sheared rams.
  8. Semen quality of all treated rams was normal after eight weeks.

Footnotes

1 The investigation reported in this paper is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published by permission of the Director.






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Copyright © 1957 by the American Society of Animal Science.