Physiological Relationship between Scrotal Morphometric Characteristics and Reproductive Efficiencies of Rams

This paper examined the relationship existing between scrotal morphometric characteristics and reproductive potentials of rams. Reproductive organs have essential roles in the reproduction of species. Reproductive efficiency and increased production can only be achieved by understanding the morphometric characteristics of these very important and sensitive organs of reproduction. Sperm production and quality can be affected by animal reproductive organ size and physiological status of the animal. Information on organ measurements helps in the possibility of improving fertility of animals generally. Any quantifiable physical parameters that directly correlate with the fertilization capacity of semen could be potentially used as a measure of semen quality. The ram, like other male farm animals, has two testicles which are suspended outside the body but enclosed in a sac or scrotum. Any factor that influences the functioning of the scrotum would invariably affect the reproductive efficiency of the ram. Scrotal morphometric characteristics are accurate indicators of testes size as well as their physiological condition. Scrotal measurements are directly related to the total mass of sperm producing tissue, sperm cell normality, the onset of puberty and the fertility of female progeny.