The average daily gain (GDP), semen quality,
libido, and serviceability in 8 hair rams (Black Belly
× Kathadin and Pelibuey × Kathadin) supplemented
with rations containing a 3 % of palm oil (AP) or
animal fat (GA) were studied during 120 days.
During the first 60 days, lambs were fed with 300
g/animal/d of a diet with 3 % of animal fat and, the
following 60 days, each lamb received 500 g of
feed. In the experimental group GA was replaced
by AP. The average daily weight gain (GDP), body
condition score (CC), scrotal circumference (CE),
thoracic perimeter (PT), height at withers (AC) and
length from the withers to the rump (LCG) were
evaluated. The seminal quality was evaluated
from 6 months of age and average weight of 26.0
kg. During seven weeks, the volume, concentra-
tion, mass motility, individual primary abnormalities
and living sperm percentage were assessed. To
evaluate the libido and capacity of mating, the
males were placed for 15 minutes with estrogenized
females; number of mounts (NM), number of servi-
ces (NS), number of mounts by service (NMS),
reaction time (TR) to matings (1M, 2M, 3M) and
services (1S, 2S, 3S), were recorded. The varia-
bles were analyzed by ANOVA. There were no
differences among AP and GA for the evaluated
variables for PV, GDP, PT, CC, AC, and LCG.
Semen quality, libido and serving capacity were
similar. The number of services and reaction times
for mount and service were also similar for both
treatments, however diferents were observed in
the number of mounts and so in number of mounts
by service. The AP is an energetic alternative that
can be considered in the feeding of rams in the
tropics without affecting growth, the seminal quality
and libido.Se evaluó la ganancia diaria de peso (GDP),
calidad seminal, libido y capacidad de servicio en
carneros de pelo, bajo pastoreo y suplementados
con raciones conteniendo un 3 % de aceite de
palma (AP) o grasa animal (GA). Se utilizaron ocho
corderos Black Belly × Kathadin y Pelibuey ×
Kathadin. A los animales se les suministró durante
los primeros 60 días, 300 g por cabeza de una
ración con 3 % de GA, cantidad que se elevó a 500
g desde los 60 a los 120 días. En el grupo expe-
rimental GA se sustituyó por la misma proporción
de aceite de palma. Cada 14 días se evaluó el peso
vivo (PV), GDP, condición corporal (CC), circun-
ferencia escrotal (CE), perímetro torácico (PT),
altura a la cruz (AC) y largo de la cruz a la grupa
(LCG). La calidad seminal se evaluó a partir de los
6 meses de edad con un peso promedio de 26,0
kg. Durante siete semanas, se evaluó el volumen,
concentración, motilidad masal e individual, % de
anormalidades primarias y % de espermatozoides
vivos. La libido y capacidad de monta se valoró
con hembras estrogenizadas registrando el nú-
mero de montas (NM), el número de servicios (NS),
el número de montas por servicio (NMS), tiempo de
reacción (TR) a las sucesivas montas (1M, 2M,
3M) y servicios (1S, 2S y 3S). Las variables se
analizaron mediante un ANOVA. No se registraron
diferencias entre AP y GA para las variables PV,
GDP, PT, CC, AC y LCG. La calidad seminal, libido
y capacidad de servicio fueron similares en ambos
tratamientos. El número de servicios y el tiempo de
reacción a la monta o al servicio fueron similares
en ambos tratamientos sin embargo se observa-
ron diferencias en el número de montas lo que se
reflejó en el número de montas por servicio. El
aceite de palma es una alternativa energética para
la alimentación de carneros en el trópico que no
afecta al crecimiento, calidad seminal y libido