Sexual behavior and physical aspects of the semen of Moxotó breed goats at different ages Comportamento sexual e aspectos físicos do sêmen caprino da raça Moxotó em diferentes idades

This study aimed to evaluate physical aspects of the semen and sexual behavior of Moxoto breed goats at different ages. Two males Moxoto goats, ages 4 and 7, represented by (1) and (2) respectively, and twenty-six (26) female goats as mannequins, were used. The breeders were subjected to sexual behavior evaluation by measuring of reaction time to the female in estrus, which were recorded the patterns of behavior (courtship with paw, emission of sounds, tongue exposure, exposure penis exposure, smell the urogenital female and Flehmen reflex) performed in two shifts (morning and afternoon) during the months of February to April 2010, totaling 50 observations. To assess the physical aspects of semen collections were performed twice on each breeder at the beginning and end of the observation period. There was no difference in reaction time and the number of jumps in terms of shifts and breeders. The frequency of behavioral events in relation to shifts evaluation did not differ. The emission of sounds (EMS) and exposure of the tongue (EXL) was expressed more often by the oldest breeder (2). Regarding the assessment soundness, the average values for the parameters studied as motility, vigor, pathology and sperm concentration, results were favorable to the breeder (1). The study of behavioral patterns during the courting stage is an indispensable tool in predicting the reproductive potential of male goats; however, other aspects within the reproductive management should be evaluated in combination.