title: Evaluation of the breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions during semen collection to examine the effect of age category (AC) and month of evaluation on the characteristics of breeding behavior. Nine stallions were evaluated during the breeding and non-breeding season, 5-8 (AC1) and 9-13 years (AC2) of age. The variables evaluated were reaction time (RT), mount time one (MT1) and two (MT2), mount and ejaculation time (MEjT), mounting without erection (MWEr), mounting without ejaculation (MWEj), flehmen, kicks, bites, smells, vocalizations and serum testosterone concentration. Analyses of variance and correlation were performed. The average scores were RT: 56.2±92.9s, MT1: 115.0±122.4s, MT2: 196.4±160.7s, MEjT: 21.8±3.2s, MWEr: 0.8±1.3s, MWEj: 2.1±3.5s, flehmen: 3.8±3.0s, kicks: 0.3±1.2s, bites: 1.0±2.0s, smells: 5.7±3.5s, vocalizations: 6.4±6.3s and testosterone: 0.89±0.52ng/mL. The AC affected the RT (P<0.05) but not the other traits. Month of evaluation did not affect most variables (P>0.05). The correlations between age and RT and between age and MT1 and MT2 were significant. The correlation between testosterone and MEjT was moderate and negative. The breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions was similar across different months of evaluation and different age categories. The month of evaluation and age category also did not affect testosterone concentrations, meaning that semen collection is feasible throughout the year.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: miguelvet-rua@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Miguel Alejandro Silva
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rua
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Celia Raquel
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Quirino
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aylton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartholazzi Junior
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Nascimento
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana da Silva
authors.initials: Mda S
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Fonseca
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wilder Hernando Ortiz
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Vega
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014828:Vocalization, Animal
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Behavior; Horse; Pony; Reproduction