Ejaculation does not contribute to the stress response to electroejaculation in sheep.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Animal Physiology
• Stress Response Research

Background:

• Electroejaculation procedures (EEPs) are used to collect semen but can induce physiological stress responses.
• Distinguishing stress from ejaculation versus stress from the EEP itself is challenging, especially in animals incapable of natural ejaculation, like ewes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the stress responses induced by EEP in rams and ewes.
• To determine if ejaculation contributes to the overall stress response observed during EEP.

Main Methods:

• 10 rams and 10 ewes underwent EEP during the non-breeding season.
• Measurements included vocalizations, heart rate, rectal temperature, serum cortisol, and biochemical/hematological parameters.

Main Results:

• EEPs significantly increased cortisol, glucose, rectal temperature, and creatine kinase in both sexes.
• Heart rate, lymphocyte counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin decreased post-EEP in both rams and ewes.
• Ewes exhibited higher cortisol, rectal temperature, and glucose levels compared to rams, while rams showed more vocalizations and higher white blood cell counts.

Conclusions:

• The stress response to EEP is similar in rams and ewes, suggesting ejaculation does not add to the procedure-induced stress.
• EEPs likely induce muscular damage and pain in both male and female sheep.
• The findings aid in understanding animal welfare during electroejaculation and refining reproductive technologies.