DOI: 10.22620/agrisci.2011.06.018
Abstract
A study was carried out on the relation between the sexual behaviour during massage, the development of the secondary sex characteristics at 7 and 18 weeks of age and the semen quality in cockerels, from two strains of the national genefund “E” and “L” bred in the Institute of Animal Science in Kostinbrod.
The secondary sex characteristics were measured in the 7th and 18th week of age. The positive reaction to massage was controlled when 18-, 19- and 20-week-old. The cockerels from each line were allocated into three groups: first group – with a positive reaction to massage when 18-week-old, second group – with a positive reaction to massage when 19-week-old and positive reaction to massage when 20-week-old. Quantitative and qualitative semen parameters were determined in the 24th week of age.
The data received showed that cockerels responding to the first massage had better developed secondary sex characteristics in their 7th week. There were no significant differences between the two lines concerning the expression of the secondary sex characteristics in their 18th week which suggests that they are not essential for the future sperm production.
The age dynamics of the semen characteristics was highest in the 60th week of age in both lines. These data suggest that the proper selection of cockerels by their response to massage and secondary sex characteristics can insure prolongation of the reproductive use and higher rate of fertilized eggs.