Avaliação andrológica associada a ultrassonografia testicular de ovinos da raça Dorper

Abstract

The Brazilian sheep industry is an expanding activity and with the increase in demand by importing countries, the use of specialized breeds and biotechnologies drive economicproductive growth will benefit the entire production chain involved. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reproductive potential of twelve Dorper rams from the Animal Production Vivarium of the Technical College of Teresina, using testicular ultrasound as an auxiliary method. The animals were maintained with a diet based on Mombasa grass, commercial ration, mineral salt and water ad libitum, with effective sanitary management, divided into two groups with six in each, being G1 for young animals and G2 for adult animals, and submitted to clinical, andrological and ultrasound examination. Breeders were classified with a mean body condition score of 3,04 for young animals and 3,11 for adult animals, regarding the consistency of the right epididymis, the adult animals also presented a higher mean (2.71), as well as the volume (0.35 mL) and swirl (2.45), while young people had a higher average in motility (0.86%) and spermatic vigor (3.57). In addition, in the ultrasound evaluation, the testes expressed a homogeneous and hypoechogenic echotexture, considered normal, however, points suggestive of testicular calcification were observed in four adult animals and one juvenile, however, despite the diferences found, no impairment of testicular function was observed.