Male reproductive characteristics of Merino and Ossimi sheep and their crosses

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Abstract
The effects of breed type and season on semen quality and libido were examined. Tests were carried out in autumn, winter, spring and summer using 47 rams of five breeding groups, namely the the Fleisch Merino, the Ossimi, the first cross and the two parental backcrosses. All the rams were born and reared locally.Except for the percentage of abnormal sperm cells and time to first mount, semen quality and libido were not affected by breed type. There was little consistent evidence of heterosis in any of the traits examined. All traits except time to first mount were significantly affected by season. Semen was of better quality in autumn and spring than in winter and summer. With one exception all aspects of libido were depressed in winter.Breed × season interactions were significant in six of the 10 traits studied but showed no consistent trends.The reproductive performance of Merino rams was not adversely affected by the environment. This indicates the feasibility of introducing new breeds so far as semen quality and male libido are concerned.