Sexual Behaviour Characteristics in Norduz and Karakas Rams and Changes With Age

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the changes of sexual behaviour traits based on age in Norduz and Karakas rams Akkaraman variety. For this purpose, the rams were divided into two groups according to age. First and second group consisted of 3 >= and 2 years old rams, respectively. To determine sexual behaviours, the rams of the first (n=7) and second (n=5) groups were tested individually with 3-5 estrous sheep for 15-min periods in each 2 days. The defined values for anogenital investigations without flehmen, anogenital investigations with flehmen, rising of tail, vocalization, mounts without ejaculation and ejaculations in rams were found as 4.65 +/- 0.53, 2.08 +/- 0.19, 8.58 +/- 0.97, 62.90 +/- 6.30, 38.73 +/- 3.04, 1.29 +/- 0.19, respectively. The least squares mean for mounting duration, ejaculation duration and ejaculation efficiency were found as 0.65 +/- 0.11 min., 5.16 +/- 0.71 min. and 0.05 +/- 0.006, respectively. Over the 4 test days, 3 >= years old rams were superior in terms of rising of tail, the vocalization, ejaculations, ejaculation duration and ejaculation efficiency than 2 years old rams (P<0.05). It was observed that sexual activity test did not provide an improvement in 2 years old rams.