Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits

Murat Durmuş; Melis Çelik Güney

doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10

Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits

Abstract

This study examined the variation in body weight, body measurements, and testicular measurements of male lambs from the Cukurova Meat Sheep (CMS) and Awassi breeds, in relation to breed, birth type, dam age, and lamb age. The research included 36 male lambs (18 Awassi and 18 CMS) raised in the Cukurova region. Body weight, body measurements, and testicular measurements were recorded monthly from 1 to 4 months of age, and the effects of breed, birth type, dam age, and lamb age were evaluated with a linear mixed-effects model. The results showed statistically significant differences between breeds in many morphometric traits and some testicular measurements, with CMS lambs generally having higher values. Single-born lambs had higher values in both body and testicular size compared to twin-born lambs. The effect of dam age was limited, while lamb age had a pronounced and significant impact on both body and testicular size. Additionally, positive and generally strong correlations were found among body measurements, testicular measurements, and body weight. In particular, the relationship between scrotal circumference and testicular volume was very strong. In conclusion, early-life measurements of body and testicular traits can be considered reliable indicators for the selection of breeding males, and these traits may be effectively used in sheep breeding programmes.

Keywords

Body measurements, Body weight, Lamb production, Testicular measurements, Cukurova Meat Sheep

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Animal Reproduction and Breeding

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Murat Durmuş ^*
0000-0002-4221-7449
Türkiye

Melis Çelik Güney
0000-0002-6825-6884
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 4, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

June 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89LX83MN

APA

Durmuş, M., & Çelik Güney, M. (2026). Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, Advanced Online Publication, 632-638. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10

AMA

1.Durmuş M, Çelik Güney M. Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):632-638. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10

Chicago

Durmuş, Murat, and Melis Çelik Güney. 2026. “Early Prediction of Lamb Reproductive and Growth Potential: Breed and Maternal Effects on Body and Testicular Traits”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication: 632-38. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10.

EndNote

Durmuş M, Çelik Güney M (September 1, 2026) Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences Advanced Online Publication 632–638.

IEEE

[1]M. Durmuş and M. Çelik Güney, “Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 632–638, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10.

ISNAD

Durmuş, Murat - Çelik Güney, Melis. “Early Prediction of Lamb Reproductive and Growth Potential: Breed and Maternal Effects on Body and Testicular Traits”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences. Advanced Online Publication (September 1, 2026): 632-638. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10.

JAMA

1.Durmuş M, Çelik Güney M. Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;:632–638.

MLA

Durmuş, Murat, and Melis Çelik Güney. “Early Prediction of Lamb Reproductive and Growth Potential: Breed and Maternal Effects on Body and Testicular Traits”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication, Sept. 2026, pp. 632-8, doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10.

Vancouver

1.Murat Durmuş, Melis Çelik Güney. Early prediction of lamb reproductive and growth potential: breed and maternal effects on body and testicular traits. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026 Sep. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):632-8. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.10

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