A semi-extensive management system reduces plasma testosterone concentrations, sexual behaviour and sperm production in male goats from subtropical latitudes
O. U. García-Cruz A , L. M. Tejada A , M. J. Flores
B , L. E. Nava-Rivera C , N. López-Magaña C , H. Hernández A , M. Keller D , P. Chemineau D , J. Santiago-Moreno E and J. A. Delgadillo A *
A Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Caprina, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Periférico Raúl López Sánchez y Carretera a Santa Fe, Torreón, Coahuila 27054, Mexico.
B Campo Experimental La Laguna, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Bouleverd José Santos Valdez 1200, Matamoros, Coahuila 27440, Mexico.
C Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Gregorio A. García 198, Torreón, Coahuila 27000, Mexico.
D UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Agreenium, Nouzilly 37380, France.
E Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA-CSIC, Madrid 28040, Spain.
Animal Production Science 62(17) 1683-1691 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN22066
Submitted: 19 February 2022 Accepted: 11 July 2022 Published: 9 August 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: In subtropical latitudes, most goats are managed in semi-extensive management systems, eating only available vegetation. Underfeeding is common during the dry season and may reduce the endocrine and sexual activities of male goats.
Aims: The aim of the study was to determine plasma testosterone concentrations, sexual behaviour and sperm production of male goats kept in a semi-extensive management system for 12 months, from March to February.
Methods: Control males were placed indoors and were well nourished (n = 5). Experimental males were placed in a flock and grazed daily with females for 7 h, eating only natural vegetation (n = 5). Experimental males were fitted with an apron to prevent mating during the study. Plasma testosterone concentrations were determined every 2 weeks. Sexual behaviour and sperm production were determined in May and June (beginning of breeding season), August and October (middle of season), and November and December (end of season).
Key results: Plasma testosterone concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in control than experimental males in June and from August to December. The percentage of males refusing to ejaculate was lower (P < 0.05) in control than experimental males throughout the study. Total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate was higher (P < 0.05) in control than experimental males in May, June, November and December. Sperm progressive motility was higher (P < 0.05) in control than experimental males in May and June and from October to December.
Conclusions: The results indicate that male goats in a semi-extensive management system have lower plasma testosterone concentrations, sexual behaviour, and sperm quantitative and qualitative production than those in a confined management system.
Implications: Nutritional supplementation may improve the endocrine and sexual activity of male goats in semi-extensive management systems.
Keywords: caprine, grazing conditions, libido, reproductive seasonality, solar radiations, sperm quality, subtropics, undernutrition.
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