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Abstract The study was carried out on eight Rahmani mature rams and two mature ewes in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, from July 2011 to July 2013. Rams aged 1.6-1.9 years at the beginning of the experiment. Scrotal circumference, testicular volume, reaction time, semen characters and blood samples were assessed weekly for demonstration the effect of seasonal variations. Season showed a significant effect on scrotal circumference and testicular volume mainly in spring and autumn seasons. Marked improvement in sexual desire was observed in winter and autumn. Semen characteristics improved in spring and autumn seasons. Total cholesterol increased significantly in autumn, summer and spring while testosterone hormone showed a non-significant increase in autumn. Sexual desire, ejaculate volume, mass motility, individual motility, live sperm percentage, sperm cell concentration and total sperm output per ejaculate improved significantly in the first ejaculate than the second one. Changing of the female stimulus affected favourably on sperm cell concentration and total sperm output per ejaculate. Extension of ram semen by TBE+trehalose improved significantly the individual motility and acrosome integrity percentage after cool preservation of ram semen as compared to tris based only and tris based +ascorbic acid extenders. Administration of tribulus terrestris and probiotics to rams improved scrotal circumference, testicular volume, sexual desire, semen characteristics, serum testosterone level and decreased total cholesterol level. |