CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ONSET OF PUBERTY IN MALE KIDS OF THREE BREEDS

• Main Authors: S. Stoycheva, P. Zunev, Ts. Bancheva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Trakia University 2021-03-01
• Series: Trakia Journal of Sciences
• Subjects: scrotal circumference; young male goats; puberty; sexual maturity
• Online Access: http://tru.uni-sz.bg/tsj/Volume%2019,%202021,%20Number%201,%20Series%20Biomedical%20Sciences/10_S.Stoy4eva.pdf

The aim of the study was to trace the development of some morphological characteristics of puberty and their development up to the 44th week as well as the relationships between them, to find the best subjects based on the phenotype. Weaning weight was measured as well as their weight once a month until the 44th week. Measuring the circumference of the scrotum of experimental young bucks was performed weekly from weaning to 44 weeks of age. Monitoring of the release of the penis from the foreskin was performed weekly from weaning until the time of its full release. The average value of the circumference of the scrotum increased from the 12th week to the 39th week in total for all animals (from 15.8 to 28.4 cm), as well as by breed (BWD - 16.5 to 31 cm ), (Togenburg - 15.5 to 28.5 cm) and (Anglo-Nubian 15.8 to 26.1 cm) (p> 0.05). The variation of the trait was low throughout the study period. The earliest complete release of the penis in our study was observed in the male kids BWD breed -16 weeks. Togenburg kids reached full release at - 18 weeks. In AN kids, the release was at -24 weeks. The correlation coefficient showed a very strong reliable positive relationship between the studied factors in all three studied breeds. Testicular size and body weight could be used as a determining factor in the selection of prepubertal male kids.