Sexual Activity of the Ram Ouled Djellal Bred Raised in the Region of Chlef

Abstract

The seasonal variations of the blood testosterone, the antero-posterior testicular diameter than the sperm characteristics (volume and concentration) were studied on ten rams of Ouled Djellal breed raised in the region of Chlef. The measures were realized once a week during one year. The monthly blood testosterone is important during all year (3.20 ng/ml), increasing in spring with its maximum in the beginning of summer and becoming low in autumn / winter. The testicular diameter, the volume of the ejaculum and the spermatic concentration undergoes variations parallel to the blood testosterone, characterized by high levels in summer spring/and fall in autumn/winter. These results reflect existence of a particular seasonal rhythm of functioning of the pituitary gland of the Ouled Djellal breed ram. The theory according to which ovine races are breeders in the short days is not necessarily applicable to all the breeds or to all biotopes.