Semen quality of Merino rams. 1. The effects of fleece length and season on semen quality

Abstract

One group of 11 medium wool Peppin Merino rams was kept in short wool during summer 1960-61 (treatment). A second group remained unshorn during this period (control). Semen was collected from all rams at 14-day intervals during the summer period, October 1960 until March 1961, and from control rams until 243 March 1962. Both groups of rams had semen of similar and high quality during summer 1960-61. In the control group there was significant monthly variation for all semen characteristics studied but semen quality remained generally high. Significant differences were found between individual rams for all semen characteristics studied, some rams having markedly degenerate semen during the summer periods.