Body weight (BW) and scrotal circumference (SC) were obtained from 50 indigenous bucks (between one and three years old) in the region of El-Tarf (Algeria) to define testicular growth development and their relationship with age. Then, the bucks were slaughtered and the testicles were collected. The testicular sizes (Testicular length (TL), Testicular Diameter (TD) and testicular weight (TW) were measured, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated. Results revealed that the means of body weight, reaching a value of 28, 53±7.38 kg. These parameters were correlated with one; another and the values were compared with those. The SC was positively correlated with the BW and the TW (r = 0.74, p<0.001), the TL (r=0.56, p<0.001), the TD (r = 0.32, p<0.05). The GSI showed negative correlation with body weight and testicular weight. Results of the present study revealed that SC and TW are the most reliable useful indicator and are an important selection criterion to determine the testicular development and breeding soundness of bucks as it is highly correlated with testicular parameters.

The present aimed to investigate for the first time the characteristics and conservation of post-mortem sperm, obtained from epididymis and the vas deferens of 18 pairs of adult local chicken cocks from the east of Algeria (age, 12-24 months, body weight 1.50-2.53 kg). And compare the sperm quality at the epididymis and the vas deferens levels, the efficacy of two post-mortem sperm retrieval techniques, the flushing and float-out methods in the collection of local chicken cock's sperm, and the effects of conservation in situ at different temperatures (2h and 24h at 20°C and after refrigeration at 4°C for 24h). The quality was significantly higher (0.13±0.05ml vs 0.72±0.12ml) in the vas deferens compared to the epididymis, whereas spermatozoa abnormalities and chromatin quality did not differ in both the epididymis and vas deferens. No significant difference was observed between the flushing and float-out methods. Concentration (3.33±1.63 million sperm vs 1.75±0.76 million sperm), initial motility (77.50±6.89% vs 75.83±8.61%), viability (75±10.39% vs 74.67±10.15%) and abnormality (30.33±4.68% vs 30.33±4.68%), only the volume was significantly higher (0.72±0.12ml vs 0.17±0.08ml). However, the effects of conservation in situ, at 25°C and 4°C for 24h, showed a significant difference for viability and motility of the spermatozoa recovered from vas deferens, and no significant difference for abnormality and acrosome integrity. Therefore, it can be concluded that good quality semen samples can be collected from the vas deferens with the flushing method, and semen of Algerian local cocks can be preserved at 20°C for 24h.

Three zootechnical criteria: fertility, prolificacy and fecundity were used to evaluate reproductive performance of 23 and 27 multiparous Tazegzawt ewes in experimental station INRAA of Bejaia during autumn mating in 2013 and 2014. A total of 52 lambs were subject to measure the average daily gain at different ages (0, 10, 30, 70, 90 and 180 days) in spring of 2013 and 2014. Some non-genetic factors (sex and type of birth of lambs) were used to study their influencing in dairy production. The results indicated that, the fertility rate was 84.22% and the prolificacy rate was higher than 150%. Fecundity rate seemed interesting in Tazegzawt breed (an average more than 126%). The mean bodyweight (W) at birth was 4.72±0.92kg; 7.22±1.27kg at 10 days, 12.17±2.18kgat 30 days, 21.63±3.02kg at 70 days and 25.80±3.69kg at 90 days of age, the Average Daily Gain (ADGs) estimates for weight at 10 days (ADGs0-10) was 247.48±72.45g/d and decreases with age to reach 208.64±86.20g/d in ADGs70-90. In addition, the highest positive significant correlation (r=0.92, p<0.01) was observed between W30 and ADGs0-30.The growth rate was not affected by sex. However; the influence of birth type on growth performances of lambs during the 30 days showed a superiority of singles over twins (p<0.05). It seems that Tazegzawt sheep is one of the most prolific local breed, it shows a good growth potential. This breed has very promising potentialities that can be exploited to improve mutton meat production in Algeria.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls during their sexual development. A total of 36 bulls were selected and divided into four groups (n=9 in each) according to their age. Bulls included in Groups I, II, III and IV were 10, 12, 14 and 16 months old respectively. Left testes of bulls were subjected to histomorphometry after slaughter. Statistical analysis revealed that the secondary spermatocytes, round and elongated spermatids increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. Likewise, both sertoli and leydig cell numbers increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. However, the number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes did not change (P>0.05) due to age. The mean tubular diameter increased from 200.70±5.45 μm (10 months of age) to 227.30±9.16 μm (16 months of age) and the total volume of seminiferous tubule per testis from 69.63±1.50 % (10 months of age) to 84.64±2.53 % (16 months of age). A positive linear relationship (P<0.05) was found between meiotic index (Y) and the age (X, in month), which was characterized by the equation 0.048X+3.135 and a coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.396. The correlation between age and sertoli cell efficiency was 0.482 with a regression equation Y= 0.141X+7.696. It is concluded that histomorphometric parameters of the bulls’ testes and spermatogenic activity are correlated with the age, so these parameters provide a reliable tool for the assessment of the reproductive state and sperm production capacity of a bull in a breeding program.