Production, behaviour and fertility of merino wethers, hemi-castrates with reduced testicular parenchyma and induced cryptorchids

SUMMARY Greasy wool production, body weight, behaviour and fertility of male, fine wool Merino sheep were studied from 10 to 21 months of age to assess their suitability for wool production. The males were either castrated (wethers), or were hemi-castrated with a vasectomy and reduction (either partially or in full) of the parenchyma of the retained testicle, or the testicles pushed up into the ingulnal canal and the scrotum shortened (induced cryptorchids). There were significant differences among all groups in body weight, with increases being associated with the larger amounts of testicular tissue present. Fertility was low in the induced cryptorchids at 19 months of age. The hemi-castrates with reduced testicular parenchyma were infertile. The hemi-castrates with reduced testicular parenchyma had significantly heavier greasy fleece weights than the wethers and induced cryptorchids, which had similar fleece weights. The wether group suffered a higher prevalence of posthitis in spring and autumn than the hemi-castrate or induced cryptorchid groups. Those hemi-castrates with the largest amount of testicular parenchyma retained and the induced cryptorchids exhibited masculine behaviour patterns and had an increased incidence of fly strike to the head. The principle of hemi-castration and reduction of the testicular parenchyma is shown to be applicable in wool producing flocks with the potential to increase greasy wool production while minimising the management and marketing limitations previously associated with induced cryptorchids.