J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1989. 67:2897-2903.
© 1989 American Society of Animal Science
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Influence of Single or Multiple Sires and Serving Capacity on Mating Behavior of Beef Bulls1

R. W. Godfrey2 and D. D. Lunstra

U. S. Department of Agriculture3, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of serving capacity (SC) on sexual behavior of yearling bulls during single- and double-sire pasture matings. Approximately 60 crossbred virgin bulls were subjected to 3 SC tests, and 20 bulls were selected that were similar in age, BW, testes size and semen quality. Ten bulls were high SC (≥3 services/test) and 10 bulls were low SC (≤2 services/test). Competitive order among the 20 bulls also was determined. Single-sire tests were conducted with 15 intact estrual heifers and 1 bull in a pasture for 6 h. Double-sire tests were conducted with 30 estrus-induced, ovariectomized heifers and 1 high SC and 1 low SC bull of approximately equal competitive order for 6 h. Bulls in double-sire tests had more (P < .007) mounts than those in single-sire tests. High SC bulls in double-sire tests served more heifers (P < .04) and had more services (P < .04) than any other SC group and test type. There was no difference (P > .10) in the number of mounts or services between high and low SC bulls in single-sire tests. High SC bulls had a greater (P < .002) percentage of mounts that culminated in a service that did low SC bulls. Conception rate was not different (P > .10) between SC groups in single-sire tests. These results indicate that high and low SC bulls can achieve similar amounts of mating activity in single-sire mating, whereas high SC bulls will serve more females in a double-sire mating system.

Footnotes

1 The authors would like to acknowledge Al Kruger, Steve Furman and Tom Garvin for assisting in collection of data and handling animals.

2 Present address: Cincinnati Zoo, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220.

3 ARS, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Anim. Res. Center.






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Copyright © 1989 by the American Society of Animal Science.