Abstract

Differences in sexual behavior among rams have been recognized for many years (Terrill, 1937). Sexual behavior in rams is measured by various procedures (Wiggins et al., 1983 ; Katz et al., 1988 ; Perkins and Fitzgerald, 1992). Rams with high scores for sexual performance or libido can improve flock fertility (Mattner et al., 1971 ; Kelly et al., 1975 ; Perkins et al., 1992). Ram libido is genetically influenced (Kilgour, 1985 ; Purvis, 1985 ; Snowder et al., 2002). It is not known if selection of rams for libido will have a correlated effect on ewe reproduction. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine if libido of rams and reproduction of ewes are genetically associated. 

G. D Snowder, J. N Stellflug, L. D van Vleck

Proceedings of the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Volume 2002. Session 14, , 14.1, 2002