Baseline Study of Reproductive Performances of Indigenous Rams in Bangladesh

Abstract

Selection of breeding rams would be the prerequisite for getting better fertility can be accomplished through selecting some important reproductive traits. Cited information regarding reproductive performances of ram necessary for breeding programme is absent in our country (if available). The objective of the present study was to measure the reproductive performances of indigenous rams. Ram lambs were selected on the basis of indigenous characteristics. They were maintained on natural grazing with lump some amount of concentrate. Body weight and growth rate, scrotal circumference and its growth rate, BCS and libido index were measured weekly. Age, body weight, BCS and scrotal circumference at puberty were recorded. Semen was collected once a weak using artificial vagina and subjected for evaluation of volume, color, density, mass motility, concentration, motility, functional integrity and normal morphology of spermatozoa. The body weight, BCS, scrotal circumference, growth rate of body weight and scrotal circumference were 20. 50.2±0.5 and normal spermatozoa were 94.0±0.1, 77.3±0.1 and 75.0±0.2 in fresh, chilled and frozen semen, respectively.