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Seasonal variations of sexual activity of local bucks in
western Algeria
Hammoudi, S. M.1*, Aït-Amrane, A.1,
Belhamiti, T. B.1 Khiati, B.1 Niar, A.1
and Guetarni D.2
1Department
of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agronomic and Veterinary
Sciences, Ibn Khaldoun University of Tiaret, Algeria.
2Department
of Biology, Faculty of Agronomic, Veterinary and Biology
Sciences,
Saad Dahlab
University of Blida,
Algeria.
*Corresponding author.
E-mail:
mouh_hammoudi@yahoo.com.
Abbreviations: LH, FSH
etc
Accepted 1 October, 2009 |
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seasonal
variation of sexual activity among bucks of local breed (Arbia)
in western Algeria. The experiment was carried out using
eight bucks aged between 4 and 6 years, a group of males in
their pre-puberty age (4 to 6 months) and two females.
Animals were kept in a building during one year and fed with
a constant ration of wheat and hay with free access to
water. Sexual activity was evaluated by scrotal
circumference and sexual behaviour analysis. Results showed
that the monthly average of scrotal circumference was high
during August and September (27.58 ± 0.16 and 27.67 ± 0.17
cm, respectively) and low during April and May (25.18 ± 0.11
and 25.25 ± 0.17 cm, respectively). Monthly averages of
sexual behaviour followed similar evolution. When the season
of the year is considered, sexual behaviour and scrotal
circumference presented significant variations. The two
parameters are maximal during autumn (7.96 ± 1.28 and 26.89
± 0.55 cm, respectively) and go down during winter (6.09 ±
1.25 and 25.65 ± 0.27 cm, respectively) to reach minimal
values during spring (4.89 ± 1.66 and 25.41 ± 0.37 cm,
respectively) then they go up during summer. In conclusion,
bucks of local breed in western Algeria have seasonal
variations of sexual activity in relation to annual
photoperiod variation; short days stimulate the sexual
activity whereas long days inhibit it.
Key words:
Buck, sexual activity, Arbia breed, photoperiod,
seasonality. |
