Testicular and epididymal responses to growth variation in prepubertal male peranakan etawah goats

¹ Division of Reproduction and Obstetrics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, 16680, Indonesia
² Postgraduate Program of Biology Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, 16680, Indonesia
³ Paramedic Veterinary Study Program, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, 16128, Indonesia
⁴ Graduate School of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, 16680, Indonesia
⁵ Indonesian Institute for Good Breeding Practice and Green Animal Fodders, Pelaihari, Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan, 70854, Indonesia
⁶ Reproductive Rehabilitation Unit, Division of Reproduction and Obstetrics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, 16680, Indonesia
⁷ Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, 16680, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of growth rate on the reproductive characteristics of prepubertal male Peranakan Etawah (PE) goats. Six goats aged 7-8 months were grouped based on body weight into high growth (n = 3) and low growth (n = 3) groups. The parameters observed included testicular and cauda epididymis dimensions, spermatozoa concentration, and morphology. High-growth goats showed greater testicular length (P > 0.05) and significantly wider testicles (P < 0.05) than low-growth goats. However, the relative testicular length to body weight ratio was lower in high-growth goats than in low-growth goats (P < 0.05), whereas the relative testicular width did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the cauda epididymis dimensions or their relative ratios to body weight (P > 0.05). Although not statistically significant, high-growth goats tended to have higher spermatozoa concentrations and lower total spermatozoa abnormalities. Head abnormalities were slightly higher in high-growth goats, whereas midpiece and tail abnormalities were lower than those in low growth goats. In conclusion, higher growth rates in prepubertal male PE goats are associated with increased testicular size but do not significantly improve spermatozoa quality at this stage of development.