DAILY PRODUCTION AND TESTICULAR AND EPIDIDYMAL SPERM RESERVES OF PELIBUEY RAMS

Eleven Pelibuey rams 3.5 to 4 yr of age and weighing 48 to 60 kg, were used to determine daily sperm production, testicular sperm production and epididymal sperm reserves. Previous to castration, semen was collected from each animal twice daily for 60 consecutive days. Testicular sperm cell production and epiddymal sperm reserves were estimated by the haemocytometric method. Sperm cell production and daily production were 137.4+/-7.4 x 10(6) and 27.5+/-1.5 x 10(6) sperm cells per gram of testicular parenchyma, respectively and 25.3+/-1.4 x 10(9) and 5094+/-366 x 10(6) sperm cells per testis. Epididymal sperm reserve amounted 28.1+/-1.3 x 10(9) spermatozoa per organ. Low correlations were found between body weight, scrotal circumference, and epididymal and testicular production. Epididymal sperm reserves and daily production of these hairy animals under tropical conditions are lower than those reported for wool sheep in temperate regions.