Management of Male Reproductive Performance

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary characteristic of a castrated male animal?

Persistent libido

Increased aggression

Infertility (correct)

Enhanced hormone levels

How does castration affect the androgen levels in male animals?

Does not affect androgen levels

Results in moderately low levels of androgens

Results in high levels of androgens

Results in very low levels of androgens (correct)

What effect does being castrated have on the growth rates of male animals?

Slower growth rates than entire males (correct)

No impact on growth rates

Growth rates are similar to females

Faster growth rates than entire males

What is a common physical characteristic seen in castrated males compared to entire males?

Lower muscle levels Signup and view all the answers

What factors primarily drive the onset of puberty in males?

Weight and genetic factors Signup and view all the answers

What can be said about the libido of a castrated male?

It is significantly reduced Signup and view all the answers

If castration is performed at different stages, what is a likely effect on the animal's characteristics?

Timing can affect growth and behavior significantly Signup and view all the answers

Why does puberty not equate to sexual maturity in males?

Sexual behavior may not be fully developed Signup and view all the answers

What disease leads to the formation of hard swellings in the epididymis causing low fertility?

Brucellosis Signup and view all the answers

Which condition causes a scalding effect on the penis and sheath in males?

Pizzle-rot Signup and view all the answers

What is a common management issue related to male fertility?

Reasons for eliminating fertility in certain males Signup and view all the answers

What factor can significantly reduce male fertility when it comes to breeding?

Genetic merit of the males Signup and view all the answers

Castration primarily affects males in which way?

Reduces sexual behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential source of external genital infection that can affect male fertility?

Severe cuts from shearing Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a short scrotum male?

It can still display aggression. Signup and view all the answers

How does vasectomy affect a male animal's reproductive capability?

It results in the animal being infertile. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the status of a vasectomised male and its behavior?

It can still experience libido despite being infertile. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary uses of animals that have undergone castration?

To achieve high growth rates without the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Management of Reproductive Performance in Males

Castration

Testis removal results in an infertile male.
Castration leads to diminished androgens, affecting libido and aggression.
Castrated males exhibit slower growth rates compared to entire males.
They generally have lower muscle mass and increased fat levels, resembling female characteristics.
Timing of castration impacts effects; pre-puberty castration has more pronounced effects.

Common Names for Male Farm Animals

Cattle: Bull (entire) / Steer (castrated)
Sheep: Ram (entire) / Wether (castrated)
Goat: Buck (entire) / Wether (castrated)
Pig: Boar (entire) / Barrow (castrated)
Horse: Stallion (entire) / Gelding (castrated)
Chicken: Rooster (entire) / Capon (castrated)

Short-Scrotum Management

Short scrotum involves pushing the testis against the body cavity.
Results in similar growth rates to entire males but considered infertile.
Short-scrotum males retain libido and aggression.
Lean body condition and the ability to grow large horns/antlers remain.

Vasectomy

Involves cutting and typically tying the vas deferens.
Vasectomised males are often referred to as ‘teasers’ in farm management.
These males produce androgens but have no sperm in their ejaculate.
Utilized for breeding activity stimulation in females or identifying females in heat.

Onset of Puberty

Similar to females, male puberty is influenced by weight (30-60% of mature body weight) and genetic factors.
Onset of puberty does not equate to sexual maturity; behaviors and sperm levels are still developing.

Reduced Fertility Causes

Brucellosis can produce hard swelling in the epididymis, leading to low fertility or sterility.
Pizzle-rot involves bacterial growth in the sheath, generating ammonia that irritates genital tissues.
Severe cuts or infections in external genital areas like the scrotum can also lead to reduced fertility.

Management Challenges

Male fertility management may be requisite to eliminate breeding, especially in meat production contexts.
Fertility issues may arise due to inadequate genetic merit for prospective sires or the need for 'teasers' in mating setups.

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Description

This quiz explores the management techniques related to male reproductive performance, focusing on castration and its effects. It covers aspects such as the Burdizzo method and the characteristics of castrated males, particularly their infertility. Test your knowledge on these important veterinary practices.