EFFECT OF FEEDING WITH DRIED DISTILLERS GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES AND RICE POLISHINGS ON SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE AND SEMEN PARAMETERS OF RAM LAMBS

Abstract

The effects of level of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and rice polishings (RP) on the scrotal circumference and semen parameters were examined in 22 crossbred (Pelibuey x Dorper) ram lambs (average live weight 24.84 ± 2.07 kg, approx. 5 months of age). The lambs were randomly allotted to four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design. The two factors were dietary levels of RP (0 and 15%) and of DDGS (0 and 30%). The experiment lasted 52 days. The animals were weighed on days 0, 34 and 52, and semen variables were measured on days 34 and 52. Semen evaluation included sperm morphology, mass and progressive motility, and sperm concentration. On day 34, sperm concentration showed an interaction of both effects (P=0.01) and was greater in rams in group 4 (both RP and DDGS) than in those in groups T2 (RP alone) or T3 (DDGS alone). Sperm morphology (% normal cells) was higher (main treatment effect) in rams fed with 30% DDGS than in those not fed with DDGS (P<0.05). The other variables showed no treatment effect. On day 52, none of the ejaculate variables varied with treatments. In conclusion, the diets did not affect body weight of ram lambs, but did affect the percentage of normal spermatozoa at 34 d of the trial, although this effect was not observed after 52 d of the trial; thus, in the long run, these diets do not alter scrotal circumference or semen parameters of young Pelibuey x Dorper ram lambs.