CHARACTERSTICS OF ONSET PUBERTY IN ALGERIAN ARABIA GOAT MALE KIDS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine reproductive characteristics such as age, body weight, scrotal circumference, plasma testosterone and some semen parameters, (ejaculate volume, motility rate and concentration) in Arabia goat male kids at puberty and hence to study the correlation between body weight, scrotal circumference and plasma testosterone levels. The puberty characteristics were as follows: the age of puberty was 228±10.76 days (32.57 weeks) with an average bodyweight of 23.1 ± 3.61kg, an average scrotal circumference of25.42 ± 0.99cm and plasma testosterone at 1.90±0.89 ng/ml. The ejaculate volume, mass motility, sperm cell concentration were 0.95±0.44ml, 53±8.54 %, 1.006±0.74 x 109spz/m, respectively. The results revealed that Arabia goat male kids, born during winter attain puberty earlier when animals reach 46.2% of its weight at adulthood. In addition, it was found that scrotal circumference is directly correlated to body weight and testosterone concentration.