Clinical survey of reproductive fitness in rams

Presented in the Animal Production course. SMVU. 5-6 September, 1990

Abstract

During the period from July to December 1988, a total of 2.952 rams which had served in the previous breeding season, were clinically examined and blood serum sampled were taken. They belonged to 84 farms trom 7 departments of Uruguay. Twenty four percent (719) of the rams were considered unsuitable for reproduction due to different causes. The main, being: foot-rot 8,6: epididimytis 6.5%: small testicles 4.70/0; spermlostasis 2,3% and testicular atrophy 2,3%. The lack of periodical clinical examinations with elimination of chronic cases or congenital defects, appeared notoriously: chronic infectious disuses were responsible for 61% of the causes of reproductive failure (foot-rot and epididimytis) while congenital defects (hipoplasia and spermiostasis) accounted for a 30%. The low rate of replacements was one of the management factors with higher incidence in reproductive aptitude.