Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of long-term individual housing on the sexual performance of Hereford bulls. The bulls were hand reared from birth and maintained in individual ( N = 7) or group pens ( N = 9) through testing at 19 months of age. Four sexual performance tests were administered 2 to 3 days apart and consisted of exposing individual bulls to 3 restrained estrous females for 40 min. Individually reared (IR) bulls exhibited a greater proportion of disoriented (side) mounts than their group reared (GR) counterparts (12.8 vs. 2.9%, respectively; P < 0.025). IR subjects attained more ejaculations in the third test ( P < 0.05) and did so with fewer mounts per ejaculation ( P < 0.05). It was concluded that with the exception of mount orientation, long-term physical isolation from conspecifics does not retard the sexual performance of beef bulls. Ejaculation rate may be enhanced by individual rearing in this species, at least in the short term, perhaps by the effect of stimulus novelty on sexual arousal.
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
