Effect of Injection of Oxytocin and Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormones on Semen Characteristics in Zel Ram During Nonbreeding Season

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects average of injection of Oxytocin and Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin hormones on semen characteristics of Zel ram during nonbreeding season. This experiment was carried out in the form of multiple Latin Square from late spring to early summer. Six rams with an weight of 45 kg were used for this research. Levels of 0, 5, 10 of Oxytocin hormone and levels of 0, 400 and 600 international unit (IU) of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone were injectedintramuscularly. Results showed that injection of different levels of Oxytocin had not significant effect on scrotal circumference, sperm motility and abnormal sperm percentages (P>0.05). There was a significant differences between the levels of 5 and 10 IU of Oxytocin in comparison with control treatment for semen volume, mass motility,live sperm percentage, spermatozoa concentration per ml of semen and per ejaculation(P<0.05). The injection of different levels of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin did notaffect semen volume (P>0.05), but there was a significant difference between controltreatment and levels of 400 and 600 IU of hormone for other semen characteristics(P<0.05). In conclusion, the intramuscular injection of 10 IU of Oxytocin and 600 IU ofEquine Chorionic Gonadotropin hormones are recommended to improve Zel ram semencharacteristics during nonbreeding season.