Reproductive seasonality of corriedale rams under extensive rearing conditions

The objective of the present study was to describe seasonal changes in scrotal circumference (SC), live weight (LW), sperm morphology and plasma levels of testosterone (T) and thyroxine (T4) in young Corriedale rams reared under extensive conditions typical for the southern Latin American region. A total of 31 Corriedale rams, 11 months of age and with a LW of 36 +/- 1.1 kg and (SC) of 23.0 +/- 0.5 cm at the beginning of the experiment (September) were kept on natural pastures. At monthly intervals LW was recorded, animals were clinically examined, and SC was measured. None of the animals were used for breeding. Fifteen animals were randomly selected and bled once a month from January to December and plasma concentrations of T and T4 were determined. In addition, one semen sample was collected by electroejaculation and morphological studies were performed. The mean individual LW increase was 18 kg (50% of the initial LW) during the experiment (p < 0.01). LW decreased in autumn, with the nadir in late autumn. SC reached mean maximum levels in late summer (31.1 +/- 0.4 cm, p < 0.01), then decreased until the beginning of winter (26.3 +/- 0.4 cm, p < 0.01) and remained low until early spring (27.5 +/- 0.5 cm, p > 0.05) to increase again between mid-spring and the end of the experimental period the following summer (30.7 +/- 0.5 cm, p < 0.01). The mean SC in winter was 16% lower than that in late summer. Semen could be collected from the rams throughout the experiment. Frequencies of sperm head, mid-piece and total abnormalities showed monthly variation (p < 0.05), but tail abnormalities were not affected by month. Low abnormalities were found in autumn (9.4% +/- 2.2%). T was high during autumn (p < 0.01). Minimal T4 concentrations were observed during late summer and early autumn (p < 0.01) when T levels were high. Maximum T4 concentrations were registered in late autumn (p < 0.01); when SC was decreasing; in mid-spring (p < 0.01) one month after shearing and in early summer (p < 0.01). The results suggest that Corriedale rams under Uruguayan extensive management systems show a reproductive seasonality that, in general terms, coincides with photoperiodic variations.