Influencia de la condición corporal sobre la respuesta reproductiva de machos cabríos tratados con testosterona en el norte de México

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of male goats with a different body condition score (BCS) and treated with testosterone at the end of the low sexual activity period in northern Mexico (26° N). Adult male goats (n=12) with a different BCS were divided into two groups (n=6 each, HBCS: High body condition score; 2.2 ± 0.1 and LBCS: Low body condition score; 1.6 ± 0.1) maintained for nine weeks (February 29 to April 31). Both groups received 25 mg of testosterone, applied intramuscularly every other day for 21 days. BCS (range: 1-4), intensity of sexual odor (range: 0-3), scrotal circumference, blood glucose and seminal quality were recorded weekly. In addition, sexual behavioral tests were conducted in each male, quantifying both appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors. Increased (P < 0.05) performance was shown by the HBCS group regarding seminal quality, scrotal circumference, and blood glucose. Likewise, the LBCS group showed fewer appetitive behaviors (P < 0.001) than the HBCS group (57.6 vs. 42.3 %), as well as consummatory behaviors (72.2 vs. 27.7 %). In conclusion, an increase in BCS in male goats treated with testosterone improves scrotal circumference, sexual odor, blood glucose, seminal quality and appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors.