Breeding Soundness Evaluation in Ram and Bucks under Community-Based Breeding Program (CBBP) Sites of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the breeding soundness (BSE) of rams and bucks used in community-based breeding programs (CBBPs). The evaluation was done in April 2022. The data were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedures of the SPSS (version 22). Based on the criteria set for physical soundness, 88.89% and 87.32% of rams and bucks were satisfactory. The overall semen volume per ejaculation in small ruminants under study was 0.67 ± 0.04 ml with a minimum of 0.1 ml in buck and 1.2 ml both in rams and bucks. The average gross semen motility score was 3.55 ± 0.09 (>70% of sperm cells are active). A significant (P < 0.05) difference was observed between ram and buck semen concentrations, which was 4.06 ± 0.42 (109) and 3.89 ± 0.23 (109), respectively. Based on the selected examination parameters, 84.23% of the mating males of small ruminants were satisfactory for breeding, from which rams and bucks contribute to 86.48% and 82.18%, respectively. Rams and bucks above 22 cm of scrotal circumference at two and lower age, alert and active with no feet, eye, and conformation abnormalities can be selected for mating. In CBBP sites, it is better to furnish semen evaluation equipment and technical capacity to implement artificial insemination.