J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1964. 23:645-650.
© 1964 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Low Energy and Protein Intake on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Young Rams1

W. A. Tilton, A. C. Warnick, T. J. Cunha, P. E. Loggins and R. L. Shirley2,3,

Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville

Abstract

This experiment was designed to study the effect of a low protein and low energy ration on the growth, blood composition and reproductive performance of young rams during a 183-day period. Rambouillet and Florida native rams averaging 120 lb. in weight and 14 months of age were randomly assigned to each of three rations. A control, low protein and low energy rations were used. Rams on the low protein and low energy rations consumed approximately 25% of the NRC requirements of the respective nutrients on the two rations. Both the low protein and low energy rations caused a decrease in feed consumption as well as weight loss. The greatest weight loss occurred on the low energy ration. The rams fed the low energy ration had the lowest hematocrit level, and the low protein ration group had the lowest serum protein levels.

Collection of semen with the electrical ejaculator produced a greater volume with lower sperm concentration compared to semen collected with the artificial vagina. The total number of sperm cells ejaculated, however, was approximately the same by the two methods of collection.

Semen volume was greater for the rams on the control ration, but there were no differences in motility or total number of sperm cells due to the rations. Libido was not depressed as a result of the low protein or low energy rations. A semen depletion study showed no differences due to ration treatment in semen quality. No significant differences in fertility among rations were obtained when four or five rams from each ration were mated with ewes after 144 days on the experiment.

Footnotes

1 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 1805.

2 Department of Animal Science.

3 Supported in part by a grant-in-aid from National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service (GM-08246-03).






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Copyright © 1964 by the American Society of Animal Science.