Abstract

GIBBONS, A.; CUETO, M.; LANARI, M.R.  and  DOMINGO, E.. Sexual activity in criollo neuquino male goat kids of Patagonia Argentina. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2009, vol.58, n.221, pp.129-132. ISSN 1885-4494.

Detailed information on the onset of puberty and sexual maturation are needed for good reproductive management of domestic animals. Most breeds of goat are seasonal breeders and the age of puberty in male differ among them. The purpose of this investigation was to determine in 33 Neuquino Criollo kids, raised and managed under a extensive system (Lat. 41^o 02' S Long. 70^o 34' W) during April to July (180-270 days of age), the development of break down prepuce membrane and copulation capacity exposed to four females in hormonally induced estrus, for 10 minutes. The respective month rates non prepuce membrane and sexual copulation were 69.6, 78.3, 78.3, 82.6% and 18.7, 50, 61.1, 63.1% during April, May, June and July. For these months the live weight and testicular circumference means were 17.3 ± 0.07, 19.7 ± 0.07, 19.2 ± 0.06, 17.8 ± 0.06 kg and 16.5 ± 0.08, 16.7 ± 0.08, 17.6 ± 0.08, 17.2 ± 0.07 cm, respectively. The relation between testicular circumference and live weight in kids with or without prepuce membrane (April to July) and with or non-copulatory capacity (May to July) determined that kids without prepuce membrane had significantly higher means in live weight and testicular circumference than those with it. Also kids with copulation capacity had significantly higher means in live weight and testicular circumference than those with non-copulation capacity. In conclusion, Neuquino Criollo kids had a progressive lost of their prepuce membrane and increasing copulation capacity during their first breeding season. Sexual development of kids appears to be closely associated with live weight and testicular circumference.

Keywords : Puberty; Goat; Copulation capacity.

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