Puberty is part of physiological processes including growth, adrenarche, menarche, energy balance and metabolism. This study describes the dynamic between both metabolic and reproductive statutes during pubertal growth in Saharan breed sheep. Once weaned (3 months age), two lots of lambs are made up and each one receive a barley supplementation ration of 250 vs 500 g/head/day in addition to season's diet. Biometric measurements and blood samples are collected once a month from 3 to 12 months of age in order to evaluate biochemical and sexual hormonal status. Results show a significant weight gain and growth level in the double dose lot. Changes in biochemical parameters are closely related with age at least for glycemia and total proteinemia. Androgenic profile shows individual fluctuations (0.02 to 3.47 μg /ml) due to age, season and feeding ratio. In accordance with our findings, the diet effect is clearly evidenced between the two batches, it's noted that plasma concentration of androgens is the lowest (<0.30 ng /ml) at 3 months and increases to 0.53 vs 0.76 ng /ml between 4 and 6 months confirming the pre-pubertal phase. Also, biometric and biochemical parameters are tightly correlates with plasma androgen changes, depending on whether the animal be pubescent or not. In conclusion, although interesting this study shows no early puberty onset in the barley supplemented lambs as was reported in other sheep breeds; nevertheless, the testis activity as well as the body fitness have clearly be enhance. The synergy between biochemical profiles and biometric measurements explain the metabolic function of testicular androgens at puberty.
Keywords: Arid area; Barley supplementation; Ouled-Djellal sheep; Pubertal growth; Testosterone.
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