Heritability and Genetic Parameters for Semen Traits in Australian Sheep.

ABSTRACT: Semen characteristics including volume, gross motility, spermatozoal concentration, and percent post-thaw motility are routinely assessed to determine the quality and quantity of an ejaculate prior to use in artificial breeding programs. Currently, artificial breeding programs in sheep place relatively little emphasis on ram-side factors, such as the fertilising potential of an ejaculate, which may contribute to variability in conception outcomes. Estimating genetic parameters for ejaculate quality and quantity traits could provide insights into whether selective breeding can be used to improve such ram-side traits, improving ovine reproductive performance and farm profitability. Therefore, in this study, a total of 11,470 ejaculate records, including data for ejaculate volume, gross motil

SUBMITTER: Hodge MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9658395 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature