Abstract
The aim of our study was to determine the effect of the dietary energy levels on the live body weight, testis volume and blood testosterone concentration in Ouled Djellal ram lambs throughout growth. The study lasted six months from post-weaning until the pubertal period at the Technical Institute Farms (I.T.E.L.V) Lamtar of Sidi-bel-Abbes (Western Algeria). After weaning, Twenty single-born Ouled Djellal ram lambs from 90 to 240 days old were weighed and allotted into two equal groups of Low energy (n = 10) or High energy (n = 10) nutrition plane. Each group received; in addition to a basal diet (good quality pasture) 200 g and 400 g of concentrate feed mixture containing barley (60%), corn (5%), wheat bran (37.5 %) and vitamin-mineral compound (2.5 %) by head-1day-1 respectively. Hay and water were provided ad libitum. Monthly measurements of live body weight, testicular volume and blood testosterone concentration of lambs were recorded. The results showed that the High energy group of lambs recorded a significantly higher live body weight compared to the lambs of low energy group (p <0.001). Whereas, the testicular growth indicated a gradual and linear increase for both groups (low energy and high energy) with significant differences (p <0.001). However, all measurements of the testis, live body weight, serum testosterone levels and age were positively correlated with one another of both low and high groups throughout the experiment. In conclusion, High-level energy supplementation can improve to enhanced development in Ouled Djellal ram lambs this may be due to its beneficial effect on the productive and reproductive performance of growing male lambs. Furthermore, using younger lambs may reduce production costs, accelerate the benefits of genetic selection, and allow earlier progeny and libido testing.
Highlights
The Ouled Djellal is the main native sheep breed of the Biskra regions of Algeria
Assessment of Weight Gain: Live Weight: Live body weight of male lambs consumed Low and High energy rations postweaning at 90 days up to 240 days is illustrated in (Fig. 1 and Table. 1), respectively
The results revealed that the average Live body weight of either ration Low Energy group or the High Energy group tended to be gradually increased with development animal’s ages (r = 0.97 vs r = 0.98)
Summary
The Ouled Djellal is the main native sheep breed of the Biskra regions of Algeria. It has a thin tail and short earsc and produces meat and wool. Ouled Djellal sheep produce good quality meat and respond well to genetic improvement through selection. They are known for their ability to walk long distances and the ability to cope with harsh environmental conditions such as long periods of drought and high temperatures (Dekhili, 2010). As far as we know, no study has been conducted on the relation between testicular dimensions and reproductive hormones of Ouled Djellal ram lambs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, B. Zoology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
