Production and management considerations of running wethers, hemi-castrates and induced cryptorchids for wool production

Abstract

Summary. Male, fine wool Merino sheep which had been subjected to different methods of castration as lambs were assessed from 22 to 46 months of age for their suitability for wool production, their tolerance to posthitis and their carcass characteristics. Hemi-castrates produced significantly (P<0.001) more clean wool than induced cryptorchids of a similar fibre diameter. Induced cryptorchids and hemi-castrates were significantly (P<0.05) heavier than wethers. Partial hemi-castrates and induced cryptorchids had significantly (P<0.001) heavier and leaner carcasses (lower GR measurement) than wethers and testosterone-treated wethers. Induced cryptorchidism and hemi-castration proved to be effective means of reducing the prevalence of posthitis such that as the degree of castration decreased the proportion of animals with higher posthitis scores decreased (P<0.001). Testosterone levels in induced cryptorchids (1.01 ng/mL) and hemi-castrates with partial reduction of the parenchyma (0.83 ng/mL) were similar, whereas hemi-castrates with complete reduction of the parenchyma in the 1 remaining testicle had a significantly (P<0.001) lower level (0.32 ng/mL) and significantly (P<0.001) lighter testes. Development of horns and obvious scrotums by induced cryptorchids and hemi-castrates with partial reduction of the parenchyma in the 1 remaining testicle attracted penalty rates at shearing and slaughter. Some induced cryptorchids and hemi-castrates exhibited masculine behaviour, but they were unlikely to be fertile because although spermatozoa were present they were abnormal and/or non-motile. Hemi-castrates with full reduction of the parenchyma in the 1 remaining testicle offer significant advantages over the other groups for wool production. Severe posthitis was not observed, they were infertile, they did not attract penalty rates for shearing or slaughter and their clean fleece weight, wool quality, carcass weight and grade were comparable with or superior to wethers. To reduce dependence on synthetic hormones to control posthitis, traditional complete castration techniques could be replaced with this type of partial castration in wool-producing flocks.

Efecto de la Testosterona Exógena sobre las Adherencias Pene-Prepuciales y la Producción de Fibra en Alpacas Huacaya

“…En la rata se logró obtener un incremento del diámetro de fibra por efecto de la testosterona (Paus y Cotsarelis, 1999) y en ovinos se pudo observar una tendencia al incremento del diámetro de fibra con dosis crecientes (Osborne y Widdows, 1961; Southcott y Royal, 1971), aunque no se encontró efecto al realizar una con hemicastrados o con criptorquídeos inducidos (Foster et al, 1997). Sin embargo, no se descarta el efecto de la testosterona, toda vez que el diámetro de la fibra fue significativamente menor en los animales castrados.…”

Implications of removing or altering the testicles of ram lambs on the financial returns from carcasses

“…all animals slaughtered at the time the rams in the experiment reached a target liveweight (Crouse et al 1978)) were included in this study. Two datasets*one with a mean ram carcass weight of 45.0 kg (Bradford & Spurlock 1964) and the other with slaughter at 46 months of age (Foster et al 1997)*were deemed outliers and excluded. Finally, reports describing liveweight gains, fatness or dressing-out percentages but not carcass weights (e.g.…”