Relationships between age, body measurements, and testicular measurements in Arabia bucks in Algeria.

Body size and testicular measurements were found to be important parameters for the evaluation of the breeding quality. A study was therefore carried out on Arabia bucks (n = 180) to record normal testicular characteristics and to evaluate the effect of age on body (BCS, BW, WH, CG, AC, CS, and BL) and testicular (SC, TW, EW, TL, TD, and TL) measurements. Animals were classified into three age classes (less than or equal to 12 months, from 12 to 24 months, and over 24 months). The BW, BCS, testicular, and body measurements of the 3rd age group were significantly higher than those of age groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.01). Male age had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on BW, BCS, and body measurements. Indeed, the parameters of the 3rd age group were significantly higher than those of the 1st and 2nd age groups (p < 0.01). The same was true for testicular measurements (SC, TL, TW, EW, and EL) except for testicular diameter (TD) where the results of the first two age groups had no significant difference. The highest correlation coefficients were recorded between BW and all body (r = 0.7-0.9) and testicular traits (r = 0.72-0.85), BCS and body measurements (r = 0.73-0.89), and scrotal circumference and testicular measurements (r = 0.77-0.85). In conclusion, it was found that the use of BCS is readily measurable in live animals and is expected to be the best indicator of testicular and epididymal measurements. These results, particularly the predictive models developed, could be useful in the selection of males for reproduction.