Semen quality of Yankasa rams

Osinowo, O.A., Bale, J.O. and Eduvie, L.O. 1982. Semen quality of Yankasa rams. Tropical Animal Health and Production 14(3): PP. 189.

Presents results of a study carried out to determine the ejaculate characteristics of Yankasa rams in Nigeria. Three rams of proven fertility from the breeding herd at shika, of average age of 29 months were investigated. Ejaculates collected during the wet season had higher volume, pH, sperm motility and percentage of normal sperms than those collected in the dry season. Differences between rams were insignificant for all traits except ejaculate volume and sperm motility. The average sperm output per ejaculate was 2.558 x 109 spermatozoa, sufficient to inseminate between 5 and 20 ewes depending on condition of storage. Yankasa rams produced semen which compared favourably in terms of total sperm output per ejaculate and qualitative traits to values for semen of better known temperate breeds of sheep. The observed differences did not appear severe enough as to prevent all year round breeding.