The development of the testicule weight of Santa Inês lambs, fed different energy levels, was evaluated. Sixty-four lambs were distributed in four treatments: A - 8.7%; B - 17.3%; C - 26.0% and D - 34.7% of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) supplied by the diet forage, determining the variation of the metabolizable energy intake. Four animals from each treatment were slaughtered at pre-defined ages of 43 days, 83 days, 123 days and 173 days. After slaughtering, the testicles were separated from the epididimous and individually weighted. The animals fed diets A and B presented higher metabolizable energy intake (14.11Mcal/LW0.75), higher live weight (18.89kg and 17.09kg, respectively) and higher testicules weight (62.54g and 27.16g, respectively), indicating that the testicular development is highly dependent on the body development and the quantity of metabolizable energy intake. The prediction of the testicules weight by the scrotal circumference showed to be more efficient than the age or the live weight of the animals.
ovine; nutrition; reproduction; testicle development
