Effect of Protein and Energy Content of the Diet on the Rate of Sperm Production in Rams

Abstract

In the first experiment, the effects of two levels of dietary protein and energy on the number of sperm in the excurrent ducts, on the weight of the testes and on the weight of the seminal vesicles were examined in two-year-old Merino rams from two Peppin and two non-Peppin strains. There were large effects of diet on each of the three characters, the effect of energy intake being much greater than that of protein intake. In addition, there were significant differences between strains: Peppin strain rams had higher sperm numbers and testicular weights than non-Peppin strain rams, even though liveweights were similar.