Abstract

ORIHUELA TRUJILLO, Agustín. Ram's sexual behavior: Review. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.1, pp.49-89. ISSN 2448-6698.

The purpose of this manuscript is to summarize the literature regarding factors influencing rams' sexual behavior. It includes a description of: the fundamental endocrine basis of sexual behavior, its manifestation in feral sheep, a brief description of ram's courting, and copulatory behaviors. It also describes how some prenatal and childhood conditions can impact reproductive performance in mature animals, in addition to management practices, such as separation by sexes at weaning, and the later problems of homosexuality or inadequate sexual behavior that might some rams develope. Furthermore, the effects of dominance and photoperiod, and their effect in the reproductive success, together with some aspects related to mate selection are also described. Some considerations during semen collection are stated as well, and finally, several useful tests that have been developed under pen conditions to determine which rams could be successful breeders in the field are illustrated.

Keywords : Reproductive performance; Sheep; Reproduction; Libido; Serving capacity.