Effect of Age on the Body Parameters, Scrotum, Seminal Characteristics, Spermatozoa Integrity and Sexual Behavior in Ganjam Buck

Background: Bucks raised for breeding purposes receive no special attention and are raised at random without following the correct selection process. Besides, the fertility of the male bucks is never addressed. Goat breeders have noted a sharp decline in the reproductive efficiency of Ganjam goats, associated with a lengthened kidding interval, fewer successful pregnancies and decreased twining frequency. The measurement of male fertility parameters is crucial for estimating the breeding performance of any species since males contribute 50% of the reproductive efficiency. Methods: Six Ganjam bucks of age 1.5(B1), 2(B2), 2.5(B3), 3.5(B4), 4(B5) and 4.5(B6) years procured after selection on the basis of their body morphometry and sexual behaviour were maintained under optimum management practice. They were trained for semen collection. For study on effect age on the semen qualities, they were classified into two age groups and ejaculates were collected during two phases. Bucks of age below 3 were considered under Age group I and bucks older than 3 years were assigned Age group II. Twelve ejaculates from each buck were collected, six ejaculates between the month of July to August and six ejaculates during October to November. The total of 72 ejaculates was evaluated for the study of seminal characteristics. Besides, the external body parameters, scrotal parameters and sexual behaviour of the bucks were also recorded before each semen collection. Result: The bucks of age group II were found to be having significantly higher (p less than 0.01) body weight, mean body length and average value of chest girth than age group I bucks in the present study. The mean value of scrotal width of the bucks of age group II was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) as compared to that of age group I. The mean value of abnormalities of the bucks of age group II was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than that of age group I. The mean value of acrosome integrity and MBRT of the bucks of age group II was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) to that of age group I. The present study will be helpful in the selection of Ganjam buck at appropriate age for breeding purpose basing on their body parameters, scrotum, seminal characteristics, spermatozoa integrity and sexual behavior.