The influence of dietary supplementation on testicular growth rate in adult Merino rams

Abstract

Thirty adult Merino rams were fed a ration with a 16% protein and 75% TDN content. Live body mass increased by 51,4% and testes volume by 111,7% in 210 days. Testicular growth responded rapidly to supplementation and testes volume increased by 86,5% in only 60 days. In another experiment diets of four groups of 15 Merino rams each, aged 14 months, were supplemented with lucerne hay, sunflower oil cake meal, fish meal and urea respectively, Testicular volume increased from 79,3to 104,0% in thefourgroupsin a7-weekperiod, Differences were, however, non-significant (P > 0,05).

Dertigvolwasse Merinoramme isop 'n dieetmet16% ruprote'j en en 75% TVV geplaas. Lewendeliggaams-massahet met 51,4% en testisvolume met 111,7% toegeneem oor 'n 210-daeperiode, Testesgroeitempo het vinnlg op aanvullende voeding gereageer en met 86,5% In slegs 60 dae toegeneem by vier groepe, wat elk 15 14-maande-oue Merlnoramme Ingesluit het en met onderskeidelik lusernhool, sonneblomoliekoekmeel, vlsmeel en ureum aangevulls. Testlsvolume het in 'n 7-wekeperlode met tussen 79,3 en 104,0% in die vier groepe toegeneem. Verskllle was egter nle statlsties betekenisvol nie (P> 0,05).