Onset of puberty in Ouled Djellal rams

peer reviewedThe aim of this study is to evaluate the body and testicular growth performances in Ouled Djellal rams from weaning until twelve months of age. It also contributes to the study of the onset of puberty in Ouled Djellal rams and to follow the subsequent evolution of their semen production. Weekly measurements of body weight, chest perimeter, scrotal circumference, testicular length and diameter, as well as the cauda-epididymis diameter of the gonads were conducted in ten rams, from weaning and until the onset of puberty. Semen collection was also performed in the same manner with an electroejaculator in order to define puberty. After the onset of puberty, observations were made fortnightly on body weight, chest perimeter, testis morphometry and the evolution of semen characteristics. Puberty settled at an average age of 228± 7 days with an average weight of 40.4 ± 1.2 kg. Highly significant correlations were observed between testicular measurements and those of the body. Similar significant correlations were also observed between testicular measurements (especially scrotal circumference) and semen characteristics after puberty

Genetic and nongenetic effects on the number of ovarian follicles and oocyte yield and quality in the bovine local (Oulmes Zaer), exotic breeds and their crosses in Morocco

The effects of genetic and non genetic factors on the number of ovarian follicles and oocyte yield and quality in the bovine local breed (Oulmes Zaer), exotic breeds and their crosses in Morocco was investigated. In this study, females in very bad body conditions (BCS < 2) were not slaughtered and the average. The body condition scores (BCS) was 2.94 ± 0.89. Although some individual values were out of the normal ranges, mean values of total proteins, albumin, urea, &#946;-OH and GOT remain normal and were 77.83 ± 8.74 g/l, 32.4 ± 4.41g/l, 4.43 ± 2.13 mmol/l , 0.83± 0.48 mmol/l et 45.55 ± 11.95 UI/l, respectively. The mean number of ovarian follicles per cow (2-8 mm) was high (22.98 ± 8.41) whereas the oocyte yield (and 2.60 ± 1.53) was very low. The effects of genetic group, age and BCS on the number of follicles, oocyte yield and the quality were significant. Key Words: Cows, follicular population, oocyte yield and quality. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.4(1) 2005: 9-1