Use of the breeding soundness examination scoring system in Santa Inês and Dorper rams

Abstract

This study evaluates the use of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE) scoring system in Santa Inês and Dorper rams. 89 Santa Inês (n = 48) and Dorper (n = 41) rams were submitted to andrological examination and classified with the BSE scoring system. The proportion of Santa Inês sheep with satisfactory and questionable performance in the BSE scoring system was 66.6% (32/48) and 33.34% (16/48), respectively. The average BSE value was higher (p < 0.05) in rams with satisfactory performance (15.83 ± 1.24), compared to those with questionable performance (12.00 ± 0.87). The proportion of Dorper rams with excellent and satisfactory performance in the BSE scoring system was 26.83% (11/41) and 73.17% (30/41), respectively. The average value of BSE was higher (p<0.05) in rams with excellent performance (19.29 ± 0.45) in relation to those with satisfactory performance (16.77 ± 0.99). In Santa Inês sheep there was a strong positive correlation between BSE and scrotal perimeter e (r = 0.75; p < 0.01) and a moderate negative correlation between BSE and sperm morphology (r = -0.52; p < 0.01). In Dorper sheep there was a strong positive correlation between BSE and scrotal perimeter (r = 0.69; p < 0.01) and a moderate negative correlation between BSE and sperm morphology (r = -0.60; p < 0.01). BSE can therefore be used as a complementary tool for andrological examination. It was possible to classify and rank Santa Inês and Dorper sheep according to the parameters adopted by BSE.