Some effects of level of feeding and body condition upon sperm production and gonadotropin concentrations in the ram

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. In two experiments. Scottish Blackface and Finnish Landrace ♂ × Dorset Horn ♀ rams were housed in light-proof buildings and subjected to a constant 10-h light: 14-h dark photoperiod 70 days before and during the experiment. In experiment 1, four rams from each breed type were given either 750kJ/MJ(L) or 1250 to 1500 kJ/MJ(H) of their maintenance requirement for 20 weeks. In experiment 2, four rams of each breed were given either 750kJ/MJ(T) or 2000 kJ/MJ(F) of their maintenance requirement for 20 weeks, and were then fed to maintain live weight for a further 10 weeks. Daily sperm output in the urine and scrotal circumference were measured in both experiments. Various characteristics of ejaculated semen were measured in experiment 1. Sequential blood samples were collected from the rams on both experiments and assayed for follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. At the end of each experiment the rams were slaughtered, and their testes, epididymides and anterior pituitary glands recovered.2. In Experiment 1, the L feeding level depressed progressively the numbers of sperm voided in the urine, scrotal circumference, and the concentration and total numbers of sperm in ejaculated semen. The testes and epididymides of L rams were lighter (P<0·01) and fewer sperm were recovered from the reproductive tract than i n H rams (P<0·01). The pituitary glands were lighter (P<0·05) and contained less luteinizing hormone (P<0·01) but amounts of follicle stimulating hormone similar to the H rams. Plasma luteinizing hormone levels were lower in L than in H rams at 20 weeks (P<0·05).3. In experiment 2, the T rams showed a progressive depression of numbers of sperm in the urine and scrotal circumference, such that at 20 weeks differences between F and T treatments were statistically significant (P<0·05 and 001 respectively). Subsequently, some recovery occurred which, with a reduction in these measures on F treatments, led to there being no statistically significant difference at 30 weeks. There were no statistically significant differences between F and T treatments in testes and epididymes weights, total number of sperm in the tract, and anterior pituitary weight, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone content.