Predictor Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Testis during Pubertal Age in Ram Lambs

This study was designed in order to investigate the benefit of ultrasound use in detecting pubertal age in lamb ram. Twelve ram lambs from age 3 months and two mature rams aged 3 years were used in this study which done in Jeballa town in Babel province southern to Baghdad, Iraq. The examination was done using Biomed sonar with liner probe every 15 days until it reach 9 months of age, the scanning based on sagittal, transverse and frontal planes in order to evaluate the testicular parenchyma echotexture and the mediastinum testis, while measurements of the testicular length, width and thickness were performed by ultrasound in both testes. The results show that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in testicular length, width and thickness between mature ram and 3 and 4 months of age. The testis parenchyma images with moderate echogenicity were in pre-pubertal lambs’ animals and high echogenicity in those that had reached near puberty age or mature rams. From these results we conclude that the sonar was a useful in detecting pubertal age and for breeding soundness in ram lambs.