Breeding Soundness Examinations of Rams: Semen Collection and Evaluation
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 84
Special Issue Editors
Interests: reproductive physiology and pathology; assisted reproductive technology; artificial insemination; ultrasonographic examination of reproductive system
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Ram fertility is a crucial characteristic that affects the production and economic efficiency of sheep herds. Previous studies have revealed that 70–75% of rams in a flock are reproductively optimal; therefore, the management of rams is fundamental. Breeding soundness examination (BSE) refers to the overall assessment of a ram’s ability to service and impregnate ewes. BSE is based on a clinical and physical examination, as well as a semen quality evaluation. BSE should be performed at least two months before breeding, especially because this period is required for sperm production and maturation. A high percentage of rams are culled because of substandard semen quality, such as low concentration and motility, increased morphological abnormalities, and DNA damage, etc. Even though no single diagnostic test can accurately predict ram fertility, researchers have stated that a combination of physical and laboratory tests can predict fertility. Overall, the assessment of a ram’s reproductive capacity is a significant tool for the improvement of the reproductive performance of the herd and the prevention of contagious or hereditary diseases.
In this Special Issue, we invite researchers focusing on breeding soundness examinations of rams, with a special emphasis on semen collection and evaluation, to submit their work on the following topics:
- Factors affecting BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
- Use of artificial intelligence in BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
- Culling of rams after BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
- Artificial insemination following BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
- Semen storage following BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
- Use of contemporary or innovative techniques for BSE and semen collection and evaluation.
This Special Issue intends to collect recent articles focusing on up-to-date and comprehensive primary or secondary research on this subject that aim to contribute to sheep herd sustainability.
Dr. Aikaterini Ntemka
Dr. Noelia González Orti
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- breeding soundness evaluation
- semen collection
- semen assessment
- ram
- fertility
- reproductive capacity
- herd sustainability
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