Sexual Behavior and Semen Attributes Assessment on Feeding Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) Leaves in Malpura Rams of Semi-arid Region

Background: Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) contains substantial amounts of polyphenols like tannin naturally and is preferable fodder by farmers for animal nutrition, having positive attributes for reproductive events like semen quality. However, the effect is not observed in sexual performance and semen attributes in pubertal rams. The present investigation is to study the effects of Khejri leaves feeding on pubertal age, sexual behavior, and semen parameters in weaned ram lambs.

Methods: For the present study, 16 ram lambs were randomly divided into control (C) and treatment (T) considering the body weight and age uniform after weaning. Animals were individually stall-fed, with the Coffered Cenchrus + gram straw (2:1) and T with dried Khejri leaves @ 200 gm at initial two weeks to 1200 kg at advanced age with concentrate mixture common @ 300 gm/day/animal. The lambs were trained for semen donation at the age of 7 months once in a week intervals till attaining puberty. At puberty each male lambs were exposed to a mating session to record the sexual behavior and libido.

Results: There was gradual increase in feed intake and body weight in T group rams than C group, resulting in higher mean scrotal morphology and body measurements values. Mounting was higher in T followed by C with non-significant value; however, there was significant (P<0.05) difference in duration of ejaculation with lower duration in T. Similarly, the number of ejaculation was also significantly (P<0.05) higher in T group.Libido score was similar in C and T group 2.85 and 2.82 respectively. The mean age of puberty was lower (P=0.16) in theT group as compared to the C group (232.66±7.96vs 257.4±9.92 days). The seminal parameters like mass motility, sperm concentration and semen volume also found to be significantly higherin tannin fed group than non-fed group.