| Ascophyllum nodosum (Kelp Seaweed; Tasco) has gained popularity as an agent to reduce heat stress and improve reproductive performance in livestock. This study was conducted to determine if supplementation of Tasco would improve the breeding ability of mature Suffolk and Rambouillet rams. Rams were penned by age and breed in groups of 2-3 and were fed a diet at 2.5% of their body weight and received just the diet alone or the diet plus Tasco at 5 g•hd-1•d-1 for 56 days. Following the 56 day feeding period they were placed on pasture to simulate a normal breeding period for 56 days. Weights were taken on days 0, 28, 56, 84 and 112 and semen samples and scrotal circumference were collected on days 0, 56, 84 and 112. Results from the current study showed no differences in weight, semen quality parameters and scrotal circumference (P > 0.05). However, during the testing period, the ambient temperatures were exceptionally low and may have had an impact in the results since a heat stress environment was never experienced by the rams. |
