Relationships between age, body measurements, testicular measurements and total ejaculation of semen in local goat of Rohilkhand region

• The scrotal biometry and body measurements of the local goat are different in different age groups.
• Increasing trend of scrotal circumference (SC) with the advancement of age.
• Adult body weight and body measurement were in acceptable limit to other recognized breeds (same sized).
• Body weight has positive and significant correlation with all body measurements and scrotal biometry.
• In bucks with age more than 1 year, body weight has positive and significant correlation with total ejaculation.

This study assessed the relationships between age, body conformation traits, testicular measurements and ejaculate volume of semen in local goat of Rohilkhand region maintained at Indian Veterinary Research Institute. A total of 33 bucks were categorized in to four groups viz. group 1: experienced (>2 years), group 2: non experienced adolescence (1–2 year), group 3: pubertal (6–12 m) and group 4: weaner (3–6 m). The linear traits: {chest girth (CG), height at withers (HAW), body length (BL), pelvic girth (PG)} and testicular measurements: {testicular circumference (TC), testicular length (TL), testicular width (TW), testicular thickness (TT) and testicular volume (TV) were measured. The scrotal division was graded from 0 to 5 scale}. Scrotal circumference (SC) increased with the advancement of age. The difference in the SC and TV was highest between Gr3 and Gr4 (5.43 cm and 57.68 ml). Similar trend was found for TL, TW and TT. Nearly 75%, 33.33% and 15.38% of bucks in Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3, respectively, had distinct scrotal division. However, scrotal division was absent in Gr4. The mean body weight of Gr1 and Gr2 differed significantly (P < 0.05). Similar trend was followed for HAW, BL, CG and PG. Body weight and body measurement in Gr3 and Gr4 weresignificantly (P < 0.05) lower than the Gr1 and Gr2. Body weight has positive correlation with all body measurements total ejaculation and testicular measurements except TT. Further, body parameters (BL, CG, PG) and SC found to be positively correlated with total ejaculation number. Similarly, body measurements were positive and significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with body weight, scrotal biometry, except CG and PG with TT. Mean body weight, body measurement and scrotal biometry values of local bucks of Rohilkhand region lies between established breeds like Black Bengal and Beetal bucks of India.