Effect of alternate supplementary feeding on semen and sexual behavior traits of Barbarine rams
2013
N., Lassoued | H., Ben Salem | S., Mleil | M., Rekik | A., Wergui
Alternate supplementation with energy and protein could be an interesting saving option to cut on feeding costs in low input systems. The aim of this trial was to assess the effect of alternate (every 2 days) distribution of a flushing supplement above maintenance requirement on semen and sexual behavior traits of Barbarine rams. Fifteen adult rams were allocated to three groups of five animals. Rams in C group were fed a diet composed of 1.2 kg of hay/ram/day calculated to provide the metabolisable energy for maintenance for the studied breed. Rams in D group and in addition to the basal diet, were each, daily supplemented with 0.450 kg of a concentrate containing 80 per cent barley, 17 per cent faba bean and 3 per cent a mineral and vitamin supplement. Rams in A group received the same diet as D rams but the concentrate was distributed every 2 days. The feeding regimes lasted 8 weeks. Both absence of supplementation and its distribution pattern (daily or alternate) did not affect semen traits such as volume and concentration of ejaculates. However feeding at maintenance requirements negatively affected sexual behavior by impairing anogenital sniffing, flehmen, penis erection, lateral approaches, reaction time and libido score Furthermore, alternate in contrast to the daily distribution of the supplement depressed reaction time, number of lateral approaches and libido score. In conclusion, these results suggest that supplementation above maintenance has not a major effect on sperm quality but enhances sexual behavior expression. Alternate feeding could be an interesting option to costly daily supplementation during 2 months prior to the mating season.
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