Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Genotype on Testis, Semen Quality, and Mineral Composition of Semen in Various Ram Breeds

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was carried out on nine 3–5-year-old rams of different species: four Norduz, two Karakas, and three Ile de France × Akkaraman rams. Sperm of each ram was collected by means of an artificial vagina once per month from June to October 2007. In each case, the sperm volume, pH, viscosity, mass activity, motility, concentration, abnormal spermatozoa ratio, and the sperm death/live ratio were recorder along with the animals’ testis diameter and scrotum circumferences. The concentrations of calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, iron, and zinc levels in seminal plasma were determined. There were changes in the measured parameters according to genotype and time of sampling, which can be useful for better planning of anestrous mating programs for these ram species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Folch J (1984) The influence of age, photoperiodism and temperature on semen production in rams. In: Courot B (ed) The male in farm animal reproduction. Martinus-Nijhoff, Boston, pp 141–160

    Google Scholar 

  2. Karagiannidis A, Varsakeli S, Alexopoulos C, Amarantidis II (2000) Seasonal variation in semen characteristics of Chios and Friesian rams in Greece. Small Rumin Res 37:125–130

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Karakus K (2005) The effect of spermatologic characteristics on fertility in adult Norduz and Karakas Rams, Doctoral Thesis, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey

  4. Tekin N (1990) Theriogenology. Erkek üreme organlarının muayenesi (androlojik muayeneler. E.Alaçam Edit. Nurol Matbaacılık A.S. pp 53–67 (in Turkish)

  5. Morton S, Roberts DJ (1993) University of Bristol, Unicam AAS Methods, Manual Issue 2, 05/93

  6. Anonymous (2001) NCSS and PASS number cruncher statistical systems. Kaysville, Utah, USA

  7. Dana N, Tegegne A, Shenkoru T (2000) Feed intake, sperm output and seminal characteristics of Ethiopian highland sheep supplemented with different levels of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leaf hay. Anim Feed Sci Technol 86:239–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ibrahim SA (1997) Seasonal variations in semen quality of local and crossbred rams raised in the United Arab Emirates. Anim Reprod Sci 49:161–167

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kafi M, Safdarian M, Hashemi M (2004) Seasonal variation in semen characteristics, scrotal circumference and libido of Persian Karakul rams. Small Rum Res 53:133–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Roca J, Martinez E, Sanchezvalverde MA, Ruiz S, Vazquez JM (1992) Seasonal-variations of semen quality in male goats-study of sperm abnormalities. Theriogenology 38:115–125

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Taha TA, Abdel-Gawad EI, Ayoub MA (2000) Monthly variations in some reproductive parameters of Barki and Awassi rams throughout 1 year under subtropical conditions 1. Semen characteristics and hormonal levels. Anim Sci 71:317–324

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Madrid BN, Aranguren MJ, Gonzalez SC, Rodriquez M, Goicoc HJ, Alfani G (1995) Semen characters in crossbred West African Dwarf rams in Venezuela during the hot season. Rev Argent Prod Anim 15:969–970

    Google Scholar 

  13. Nel-Themaat L, Harding GD, Chandler JE, Chenevert JF, Damiani P, Fernandez JM, Humes PE, Pope CE, Godke RA (2006) Quality and freezing qualities of first and second ejaculates collected from endangered Gulf Coast Native rams. Anim Reprod Sci 95:251–261

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. El-Hajj Ghaoui R, Thomson PC, Leahy T, Evans G, Maxwell WMC (2007) Autologous whole ram seminal plasma and its vesicle-free fraction improve motility characteristics and membrane status but not in vivo fertility of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa. Reprod Domest Anim 42:541–549

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Maxwell WM, de Graaf SP, Rel-H G, Evans G (2007) Seminal plasma effects on sperm handling and female fertility. Soc Reprod Fertil 64:13–38

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Abdel-Rahman HA, El-Belely MS, Al-Qarawi AA, El-Moughy SA (2000) The relationship between semen quality and mineral composition of semen in various ram breeds. Small Rumin Res 38:45–49

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Kendall NR, McMullen S, Green A, Rodway RG (2000) The effect of a zinc, cobalt and selenium soluble glass bolus on trace element status and semen quality of ram lambs. Anim Reprod Sci 62:277–283

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Baspinar N, Kaya A, Altunok V, Guven B, Kurtoglu F, Ataman MB (1998) The relationships between some biochemical parameters and sperm quality in rams. Veteriner Bilimleri Dergisi 14:91–100

    Google Scholar 

  19. Cragle RG, Salisbury GM, Van Demark NL (1958) Sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride distribution in bovine semen. J Dairy Sci 41:1267–1272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Mann T, Lutwak-Mann C (1981) Male reproductive function and semen. Springer, New York, pp 286–335

    Google Scholar 

  21. Robertson L, Plummer JM, Watson PF (1988) The effect of incubation on membrane injury and calcium movement in ram spermatozoa subjected to cold shock. 11th International Congress on Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, University College Dublin, Ireland 3:3

  22. Hafez ESE (1980) Reproduction in farm animals, 4th edn. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, pp 186–201

    Google Scholar 

  23. Daudu CS, Igboeli G, Orji BI (1983) Ejaculate and seminal characteristics of the Yankasa ram. Trop Vet 1:29–32

    Google Scholar 

  24. Altunok V, Baspinar N (2001) Blood and seminal plasma Fe and Cu levels and relationship between blood and seminal plasma levels in different breeds rams. Hayvanc ArasÐt Derg 11:30–33

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, 65080, Van, Turkey

    Handan Mert, Nihat Mert, Betul Apaydın & Ercan Seyhan

  2. Gevas Vocational High School, Yuzuncu Yil University, 65080, Van, Turkey

    Kadir Karakus

  3. Hizan Vocational High School, Yuzuncu Yil University, 65080, Van, Turkey

    Ayhan Yılmaz

  4. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Yuzuncu Yil University, 65080, Van, Turkey

    Turgut Aygun

Authors
  1. Handan Mert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kadir Karakus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ayhan Yılmaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Turgut Aygun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Nihat Mert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Betul Apaydın
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Ercan Seyhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Handan Mert.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mert, H., Karakus, K., Yılmaz, A. et al. Effects of Genotype on Testis, Semen Quality, and Mineral Composition of Semen in Various Ram Breeds. Biol Trace Elem Res 132, 93–102 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8393-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8393-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation