Differences in body measurements, wool and semen quality traits between two Slovenian autochthonous sheep breeds

The aim of the study was to indicate significant differences in body measurements, wool and semen quality traits between two Slovenian autochthonous sheep breeds, Jezersko-Solčava (JS) sheep and Improved Jezersko-Solčava (JSR) sheep. Forty-four rams of JS sheep and 43 rams of JSR sheep from the same test station in the year 2020 were included in the study. In each ram, body length, wither height, chest circumference, ear and tail length, as well as body weight, were recorded. In addition, ultrasound measurement of rib eye muscle depth was performed. Wool samples were analysed in the laboratory where several wool quality traits were determined. The concentration of the semen, progressive motility and morphological changes of sperm cells were analysed as well. After analysis of variance, we found that JSR rams had shorter body, lower wither height, higher chest circumference, as well as shorter ears and tails compared to JS rams. A comparison of wool quality traits showed that JSR rams had lower wool fibre diameter, lower spinning fineness, and higher comfort factor than JS rams. JSR rams had higher progressive motility of sperm cells compared to JS rams. According to many differences, especially in body measurements, it could be concluded that JS and JSR are two different breeds which could be genetically different as well.