Relación de la morfometría testicular de ovinos donantes con los parámetros de calidad espermática

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the relationship between testicular morphometry and sperm quality parameters in donor ewes in a breeding program. The variation and relationship of morphometric quality and sperm kinetics was analyzed, regarding days of service, testicular diameter, the weight of the male and his behavior to establish adequate selection criteria for the breeding and reproduction of sheep in the Ecuadorian Austro. The profitability of any sheep breeding system depends largely on reproductive efficiency, so it is necessary to use management techniques that ensure greater performance, which at the same time requires adequate reproduction, including crossing programs, genetic selection, selection of females and, above all, control of the entire mating process. Thus, the morphological, behavioral, testicular size and qualitative evaluation of semen extracted through natural mating from the sheep reproducers of the Catholic University of Cuenca of the breeds: Dorper, Katahdin and Pelibuey, during a time interval of two months was performed. High and consistent relationships for the variation of testicular diameter, with sperm concentration, vitality and semen motility were found, obtaining high correlations between: Diameter and HOST (r=-0.753), Diameter and Eosin (r=-0.737), and Concentration and Eosin (r=-0.537), among others that were described and detailed in this study. These results are a contribution to improve reproductive management and performance in these sheep breeds that graze in southern Ecuador. Keywords: Reproductive Efficiency; Crossbreeding Programs; Morphological Assessment; Testicular size.