Semen characteristics, mating performance and serum testosterone in rams fed sewage solids

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Sustainable animal agriculture necessitates exploring alternative feed ingredients.
• Sewage solids represent a potential, albeit underutilized, nutrient source.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reproductive and productive effects of feeding irradiated sewage solids (SS) to Debouillet rams.
• To assess the impact of SS consumption on ram reproductive parameters, offspring performance, and health.

Main Methods:

• Debouillet rams were fed either a control diet (cottonseed meal) or a diet supplemented with 7% irradiated sewage solids for nine months.
• Reproductive parameters (sperm quality/quantity, testosterone levels) and body/fleece weights were monitored.
• Offspring performance (pre- and post-weaning) and ewe reproductive success were evaluated.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in ram body weight, fleece weight, serum constituents, sperm characteristics, or testosterone response to GnRH challenge.
• Dietary SS did not adversely affect ram or ewe reproductive performance during mating.
• Lambs born to ewes consuming SS had significantly lower weaning weights, but post-weaning performance was not affected.

Conclusions:

• A diet containing 7% irradiated sewage solids does not appear to impair the reproductive function, testosterone production, or overall health of fine-wool rams.
• Maternal consumption of SS resulted in reduced lamb weaning weights, indicating a potential carry-over effect on offspring development.