S. E. A. Abdel Rahim

Department of Animal Production, King Saud University,P. 0. Box 1482, Buraydah,
Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SUMMARY

The significance of behavioural interactions during courtship and mating of 6 male Arabian camels were studied during prepubertal period. Testicular weight changes were also examined during the same period in slaughtered animals. The results indicated that young camels show distinct sexual responses from the age of 24 months. The average ages for the beginning of preparatory movements and precopulation behaviour were 112 and 153 weeks respectively. The average age of penile prepuce separation, erection of the penis and ejection of the soft palate were 126, 160 and 166.5 weeks respectively, while copulatory behaviour was observed at age of 174.5 weeks. Testicular weight changes coincided with the increase in age from 17.5+2.1 g about one year to 53.1 g at puberty. The mean testicular weight of 12 mature camels was 135.4 ± 26.6 g.

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