The Effects of Sexual Stimulation on the Sexual Performance of Hereford Bulls

Abstract

In the present study, 12 Hereford bulls approximately 22.5 mo of age were individually introduced to a restrained nonestrous stimulus female for 15 to 30 min under four treatment conditions: (1) without prior sexual stimulation and visually isolated from male conspecifics (control), (2) being watched by another male during matings, (3) after observing the copulatory activities of another male and (4) after being restrained in close proximity to a female. During sexual performance tests, an observer recorded the times at which the bulls exhibited ejaculations, mounts without ejaculation, mount attempts, mount intentions, head throws and Flehmen responses. The observer also recorded the percentage of time spent in proximity to the stimulus female and objectively rated the bulls for overall sexual performance and mating efficiency. Relative to the control treatment, the greatest improvement in sexual performance was noted when the bulls had observed the copulatory activities of conspecifics. Sexual performance was improved, albeit to a lesser degree, by being watched by another male and by restraint in the presence of the stimulus female. The advantages of sexual stimulation should be considered when breeding farm animals and when evaluating the sexual performance of males to be used in a breeding program.

Serum kisspeptin: New possible biomarker for sexual behaviour and sperm concentration in buffalo bulls

“…Again, interesting finding was tactile stimulation was positively correlated with reaction time of bulls, that is more courtship behaviours delayed the semen collection time in the study. Next, we observed that sufficiently sexually stimulated bulls bypassed long courtship behaviours and donate semen in the short time as reported earlier (Anzar et al., 1993; Mader & Price, 1984).…”

Scent of a Ewe: Transmission of a Social Cue by Conspecifics Affects Sexual Performance in Male Sheep1

“…Visual stimulation (i.e., watching a copulating pair) was found to enhance sexual performance in male cattle [10], goats [11], horses [12], and pigs [13], but not male sheep [5]. The difference in estrous female behavior between sheep and other domestic ruminant species could explain the ineffectiveness of visual stimulation on ram sexual performance.…”

Biostimulation: Innovative Tool to Improve Reproductive Efficiency in Farm Animals

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