Testosterone concentration and its relationship to growth performance and testicular measurements of Sohagi ram lambs..

Androgen testosterone is essential for the development of sexual behavior in rams. This study investigated the relationship among testosterone concentration, growth performance and testicular measurements of Sohagi ram lambs. Eight healthy Sohagi ram lambs (5 months of age, weighing an average amount 23.13 ± 2.7 kg) were used to study growth performance, testicular development and testosterone concentration for 8 months (until 13 months of age). The body weight, body measurements and testicular measurements were recorded once a month during the experimental period. To estimate plasma testosterone concentration, blood samples were collected once a month. Results showed that all measurements obtained were developed from 5 to 13 months of age in ram lambs, and there is a strong and positive correlation among testosterone concentration and other studied measurements. Finally, appropriate methods must be followed in the management and nutrition of ram lambs especially in the first period of life and with the onset of puberty and the development of reproductive characteristics, in order to improve the reproductive efficiency of the breeding herds and thus maximize the revenue from those herds.