Short- and long-term effects of social hierarchy level on seminal quality and behavior traits in goat bucks

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Haro-Torres, Gustavo Ramírez-Valverde, Saúl Hernández-Aquino, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7429506/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 19 Dec, 2025 Read the published version in Tropical Animal Health and Production → Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Social hierarchy affects semen quality and social interactions in males. However, the long-term effects of social hierarchy on semen quality, sexual, and social traits in goat bucks are unknown. Goat bucks were assigned to the dominant and subordinate groups. Semen quality, sexual, and social behavior traits were evaluated every other day for six days to establish a short-term effect, and every week for 25 weeks to establish a long-term effect of social hierarchy. There was not a short-term effect (p > 0.05) of social hierarchy in social and sexual behavior traits, but dominant males produced seminal samples with higher (p ≤ 0.05) progressive motility than subordinate males. There was a long-term effect on semen quality and sexual behavior, but no in social behavior traits. The subordinate males produce seminal samples with better (p ≤ 0.05) membrane integrity, but performed a lower (p ≤ 0.05) number of vocalizations than dominant males. In conclusion, social hierarchy affects the semen quality in the short-term, and sexual behavior traits and semen quality in the long-term. dominant sexual social subordinate sperm Introduction The effects of social hierarchy level (dominant vs subordinate) on seminal quality and behavioral traits in male ruminants have been investigated over the past years (Ekiz et al., 2024 ; Shreffler & Hohenboken, 1974 ). However, it is still a trending topic because of the existence of contradictory results, and there are also questions that remain to be answered. Regarding semen quality, some authors agree that dominant rams produce ejaculates of higher sperm concentration and volume than subordinate rams (Sifuentes-Lamónt et al., 2022 ; Véliz-Deras et al., 2022 ), while other authors have reported no effect of social hierarchy level in those and other semen quality traits on rams and goat bucks (Vázquez et al., 2012 ; Sánchez-Dávila et al., 2018 ). In addition, most of the available scientific literature studied the effects of social hierarchy on semen quality, sexual and social behavior in rams and bucks for a shorts period of time ( 2 to 63 days) (Sánchez-Dávila et al., 2018 ; Ungerfeld et al., 2019 , 2023 ; Eegül-Ekiz et al., 2020 ; Sifuentes-Lamónt et al., 2022 ). To our knowledge, only one study has explored the long-term effects of social hierarchy on semen quality and sexual behavior in rams (Aguirre et al., 2007 ). Therefore, it awaits to be clarified if the known effects of social hierarchy on semen quality and behavioral traits are controlled by time length in goat bucks. The objective of the present study was to establish the short and long-term effects of social hierarchy on seminal quality, sexual and social behavioral traits in male goats. Materials and methods Location and experimental units and design The study was carried out in a goat farm located at the Ejido Nuevo León, Mexicali, México. The experimental units (10 bucks, 2.13 ± 0.17 years old, 1 Boer and 9 Boer × Kalahari red breed, 26.92 ± 2.90 cm of scrotal circumference and 66.80 ± 3.22 kg of body weight) were allocated in individual pens for at least eight months previous to the start of the study. At day 0 of the study, the goat bucks were fasted for at least 16 h, and they were then placed at the same time in a single pen (5.3 × 10.3 m). Alfalfa hay was provided to the bucks in five individual feeders (the space in each feeder allows access to only one buck at the time). The bucks that ate from the same feeder for at least 1 min were assigned to the dominant group, the rest of the bucks were assigned to the subordinate group (Synnott and Fulkerson, 1984 ). The morphological traits of the experimental units in the experimental groups are shown in Table 1 . The experimental period lasted seven months. Table 1 Morphological traits of goat bucks in the dominant and the subordinate groups Morphological trait Group Dominant (n = 5) Subordinate (n = 5) Body weight (kg) 66.60 ± 3.04 67.0 ± 3.74 Scrotal circumference (cm) 27.60 ± 2.91 26.90 ± 3.22 Body length (cm) 137.40 ± 7.30 132.80 ± 6.94 Height (cm) 82.20 ± 1.30 81.70 ± 1.09 Thoracic perimeter (cm) 98.70 ± 4.05 93.0 ± 22.99 Space between eyes (cm) 16.10 ± 1.34 15.60 ± 1.08 Horn size 36.43 ± 6.08 38.40 ± 5.82 *Measurements were taken using a flexible plastic tape as previously describe elsewhere (Sifuentes-Lamónt et al., 2022 ): body length (length from the base of the tail and the snout), height (distance between the base of the foot and the whithers), horn size (average distance from the base to the tip of both horns). Animal feeding and housing The goat bucks were housed in a single pen (5.3 × 10.3 m with a shade area of 23.64 m 2 ). They were fed with alfalfa hay (1600 g − 1 buck − 1 d − 1 ) at 08:00 (800 g) and 17:00 (800 g) h, and they had ad libitum access to water. Semen sample collection and body measurements The body weight was weekly recorded. The goat bucks were subjected to semen analysis and scrotal circumference measurement every other day from day cero (first day of grouping) to six days after grouping to detect a short-term effect of the social status (dominant vs subordinate), and then every week for approximately seven months to stablish a long-term effect of the social status. The measurement of the response variables was occasionally suspended during the long-term period due to hostile weather conditions and technical inconveniences, but the males were sampled for a total of 25 weeks within a seven-months period. The semen samples were collected with an artificial vagina, using a restrained non-in estrus goat. The reaction time was measured with a chromometer to determine the time lapse between buck release from a fixed point to ejaculation. The ejaculated volume was determined by weighing (Mocé et al., 2022 ). The ejaculate consistency was scored from 0 (watery) to 5 (thick, creamy) (Gore et al., 2020 ). A sample of 5.0 µL of semen was diluted in water (1:400) to determine sperm concentration using a Neubauer chamber (Gore et al., 2020 ). A 5.0 µL semen sample was diluted (1:200) in semen extender (Triladyl®: 60% water, 20% egg yolk, and 20% triladyl). The diluted semen sample was placed in a warm bath (28.0°C) to further analysis. A sample of 10 µL of diluted semen was placed on a warm slide covered with a coverslip (22 × 22 mm) to assess the number of motile sperm and the number of spermatic cells with progressive motility, using a 40× magnification microscope objective (Velab- B4 microscope); each counting was made separately. The number of normal and live/dead sperms was determined by smearing equal volumes of the diluted semen sample with eosin-nigrosin stain. The stained-fixed sample was examined using a 100× magnification microscope objective in oil immersion (Gore et al., 2020 ). A sample of 17 µL of diluted semen was mixed with 69 µL of 0.4% NaCl and 14 µL of eosin-negrosin (Padrik et al., 2012 ). A sample of 10 µL of the mix was placed on a slide covered with a coverslip (22 × 22 mm) to assess the number of sperm with a coiled tail, using 40× magnification microscope objective. A total of 100 sperm were counted for each semen quality determination. Social behavior traits before and after eating Social interaction traits in dominant and subordinate goat bucks were recorded for 12 minutes before feeding time and for 12 minutes during feeding time. A group of five trained technicians recorded the number of times that every male buck hits (hit given), chases (chase given) mounts attempts (mount given) or it was hit (hit received), chased (chase received) and mounted attempt (mount received) by another male. In addition, the number of threats, fights, flehmen reflexes, vocalizations, and micturitions were recorded. To perform the social behavior traits evaluation, two goat bucks were assigned to each technician. The measurements were carried out before semen collections. Sexual activity of the bucks To evaluate the sexual activity of the males, physical contact between one buck at the time with 15 goats, located in a 5.3 × 10.3 m pen, was allowed for three minutes after semen collection. The number of mounts, mount attempts, ano-genital sniffing, vocalization, and penne exteriorization were counted after each buck made contact with the goats. In addition, the time that each buck spent in other activities not related to sexual behavior (eating or exploring) was recorded with a chronometer. The measurements were carried out immediately after semen collection. Statistical analysis To accurately compare the two treatments and maximize the use of the sample size, the response variables were analyzed using mixed general linear models and generalized linear mixed models, considering repeated measures over time when applicable. The continuous variables were analyzed using general linear models and mixed linear models for repeated measures. In this case, different correlation structures were evaluated, selecting the one that provided the best fit according to the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). When significant differences were detected, mean separation was performed using Tukey’s test. The dichotomous categorical variables were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with a logit link function. The count categorical variables were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with a log link function. The analyses were performed using Infostat, integrating statistical packages from R (version 3.6.3). Results A short-term effect of social hierarchy level (dominant vs subordinate) was observed in seminal quality, and a long-term effect was observed in seminal quality and sexual behavior traits. The social behavior traits were not affected by either the short- or the long-term hierarchy level in goat bucks (Table 2 ). The live weight was not affected (p ≥ 0.05) by social status (71.43 ± 1.12 vs 68.81 ± 1.12 kg for dominant and subordinate groups). Table 2 Short and long-term effects of social hierarchy level on seminal quality and behavioral traits in goat bucks Variable Social hierarchy level Valor de P Dominant Subordinate Short term effects on semen quality traits Scrotal circumference (cm) 26.98 ± 0.93 28.51 ± 0.93 0.2784 Volume (mL) 0.70 ± 0.17 0.47 ± 0.17 0.3701 Sperm concentration (×10 6 mL − 1 ) 3760.0 ± 436.51 2492.0 ± 436.51 0.0740 Motile sperm (%) 90.0 ± 1.0 87.0 ± 2.0 0.2445 Sperm with progressive motility (%) 99.00 ± 0.0026 98.0 ± 0.01 0.0130 Membrane integrity (%) 22.00 ± 3.0 19.0 ± 3.0 0.4118 Normal sperms (%) 97.0 ± 1.0 97.0 ± 1.0 0.9844 Life sperms (%) 97.0 ± 1.0 96.0 ± 1.0 0.4760 Reaction time (s) 11.94 ± 2.51 17.42 ± 2.51 0.1609 Short-term effects on sexual behavior traits Flehmen reflex 0.37 ± 0.21 0.76 ± 0.34 0.3212 Penne extrusion 2.3E-4 ± 1.70 5.9E-9 ± 0.06 0.9999 Vocalization 1.10 ± 0.56 1.65 ± 0.76 0.5557 Sniffing 11.28 ± 1.96 10.24 ± 1.84 0.7004 Time exploring 88.37 ± 13.24 83.83 ± 13.24 0.8175 Shor-term effects on social behavior traits z Hit given-BF 1.29 ± 0.36 0.60 ± 0.22 0.1007 Hit given-DF 1.2E-7 ± 7.1E-5 0.50 ± 0.21 0.9798 Hit received-BF 1.43 ± 0.50 0.88 ± 0.33 0.3523 Hit received-DF 3.0E-5 ± 0.09 3.3E-3 ± 6.62 0.9990 Threats-BF 0.58 ± 0.27 0.48 ± 0.24 0.1777 Fights-BF 2.19 ± 0.83 1.02 ± 0.42 0.1470 Fights-DF 6.7E-8 ± 5.1E-4 7.3E-6 ± 0.10 0.9998 Mount attempt received-BF 2.4E-5 ± 0.08 2.8E-3 ± 3.31 0.9989 Flemen reflex-BF 6.9E-9 ± 0.05 2.6E-11 ± 2.0E-4 0.9999 Vocalization-BF 1.69 ± 1.18 0.02 ± 1.06 0.9429 Vocalization-DF 0.01 ± 6.81 0.01 ± 12.98 0.9998 Micturition-BF 8.2E-4 ± 0.17 2.1E-6 ± 1.4E-3 0.9939 Long-term effects on semen quality traits Scrotal circumference (cm) 27.16 ± 0.84 29.28 ± 0.84 0.1136 Volume (mL) 0.68 ± 0.08 0.62 ± 0.08 0.5844 Sperm concentration (×10 9 mL − 1 ) 3582.14 ± 229.63 3412.26 ± 229.63 0.6172 Motile sperm (%) 85.0 ± 20.0 85.0 ± 10.0 0.7771 Sperm with progressive motility (%) 96.0 ± 10.0 97.0 ± 10.0 0.2809 Membrane integrity (%) 17.0 ± 1.0 19.0 ± 1.0 0.0471 Normal sperms (%) 96.0 ± 0.032 96.0 ± 0.04 0.1399 Life sperms (%) 95.0 ± 0.036 95.0 ± 0.037 0.5105 Reaction time (s) 16.66 ± 1.88 14.98 ± 1.88 0.5460 Long-term effects on sexual behavior traits Flehmen reflex 0.51 ± 2.98 0.98 ± 0.16 0.9111 Penne exteriorization 0.02 ± 21.09 0.01 ± 10.10 0.9997 Vocalization 3.19 ± 0.40 1.92 ± 0.26 0.0069 Sniffing 11.35 ± 0.72 12.26 ± 0.78 0.3923 Time exploring 49.7 ± 4.74 49.6 ± 4.75 0.9828 Long-term effects on social behavior traits z Hit given-DF 4.0E-5 ± 1.32 7.2E-4 ± 13.24 0.9999 Hit received-BF 1.2E-8 ± 7.9E-5 2.2E-7 ± 1.2E-3 0.9997 Hit received-DF 7.5E-5 ± 0.11 0.02 ± 15.54 0.0563 Threats-BF 6.7E-11 ± 1.9E-6 3.6E-11 ± 1.1E-6 0.9999 Threats-DF 4.7E-9 ± 4.2E-4 3.3E-10 ± 2.0E-5 0.9999 Fights-BF 1.6E-5 ± 0.02 3.0E-6 ± 3.2E-3 0.9991 Fights-DF 8.8E-4 ± 1.23 1.6E-3 ± 1.80 0.9997 Mount attempt received-BF 3.3E-11 ± 8.2E-7 2.0E-9 ± 5.0E-5 0.9999 Vocalization-BF 0.70 ± 64.24 2.26 ± 178.24 0.9923 Vocalization-DF 0.01 ± 3.61 0.01 ± 3.46 0.9999 z BF: before feeding; DF: during feeding. Discussion There is a controversy regarding the effects of social hierarchy on semen quality. Authors have reported that dominant rams produce semen sample of higher concentration and volume than subordinate males (Aguirre et al., 2007 ). However, other authors have reported no effects (Vázquez et al., 2012 ; Sánchez-Dávila et al., 2018 ) or limited effects (Sifuentes-Lamónt et al., 2022 ; Véliz-Deras et al., 2022 ) of hierarchy level on those variables in rams and goat bucks. Disagreement among research studies might be related to the number of ejaculate collections per male to perform semen analysis, which vary from two (Sifuentes-Lamónt et al., 2022 ; Véliz-Deras et al., 2022 ), five (Vázquez et al., 2012 ), nine (Sánchez-Dávila et al., 2018 ), and 24 (Aguirre et al., 2007 ). To increase results accuracy, it is advisable to increase the number of samples during seme analysis, because of the high variability of semen traits values (Giriboni et al., 2015 ). Progressive motility was superior in dominant than in subordinate bucks only during the short-term effect of social hierarchy level. However, after the long-term analysis, the subordinate males produce a better semen quality in terms of membrane integrity in comparison to dominant males. These results support previous findings (Díaz et al., 2021 ), suggesting that ewes preferred to interact and mate with subordinate males, probably because of the better semen quality observed in the long term. In order to observe agonist behavior between dominant and subordinate males, a competition state must be established either by space limitations, feed and female availability (Ortíz et al., 2001 ). For example, authors have provoked a competition state to stablish a hierarchy level by exposing males to an estrus ewe within a confine space (6.25 m 2 ) (Sifuentes-Lamónt et al., 2022 ). In the present study, there was no space, food a female availability limitation to elicit competition. Therefore, there was no difference in social behavior traits before and during feeding. In agreement, research has shown that the welfare of the low rank males is not compromised by the presence of dominant males as long as there are no feed and space limitations (Eegül-Ekiz et al., 2020 ). The number of vocalizations was the only variable related to sexual behavior that was affected by social hierarchy. The dominant goat bucks performed a higher number of vocalizations than subordinate males. This difference might be explained by a possibly higher libido of dominant than subordinate males (Aguirre et al., 2007 ). The results of the current study demonstrate that in the short-term, the hierarchy level does not affect the sexual and social behavior traits, but the dominant males produce semen samples with higher progressive motility than the subordinate males. In the long-term, the hierarchy level does not affect the social behavior traits, but the subordinate males produce seminal samples with better membrane integrity, and they perform a lower number of vocalizations than dominant males. Declarations Consent for publication. The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data. Statement of animal rights The Ethical Research Evaluation and Postgrad Committee from the Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México approved the experimental procedures and animal handling. Competing Interests The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Funding The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript Author contributions All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by José R. Haro-Torres, Gustavo Ramírez-Valverde, Lorenzo Buenabad-Carrasco and Juan González Maldonado. The first draft of the manuscript was written by José R. Haro-Torres and Juan González Maldonado and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript Data availability The raw data that support the research is available upon request to the corresponding author. References Aguirre V, Orihuela A, Vázquez R (2007). Seasonal variations in sexual behavior, testosterone, testicular size and semen characteristics, as affected by social dominance, of tropical hair rams (Ovis aries). Anim Sci J 78(4), 417–423. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-0929.2007.00456.x Calderón-Leyva G, Sifuentes-Lamont PI (2024). Horn presence determines social rank in Dorper rams. Ecosist Recur Agropec 11(2): e4004. https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a11n2.4004 Díaz A, Orihuela A, Aguirre V, Clemente N, Pedernera M, Flores-Pérez I, Vázquez R, Ungerfeld R (2021). 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Emirates J Food Agric 34: 1054–1060. https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2022.v34.i12.2962 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 19 Dec, 2025 Read the published version in Tropical Animal Health and Production → Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 03 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 22 Aug, 2025 First submitted to journal 21 Aug, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Haro-Torres","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Autónoma de Baja California: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"José","middleName":"R.","lastName":"Haro-Torres","suffix":""},{"id":509554372,"identity":"24718412-f7e0-4299-96a0-92a23c35730b","order_by":1,"name":"Gustavo Ramírez-Valverde","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Montecillo: Colegio de Postgraduados","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gustavo","middleName":"","lastName":"Ramírez-Valverde","suffix":""},{"id":509554373,"identity":"039f4fef-4b1a-45a6-8f43-28a25dec4015","order_by":2,"name":"Saúl Hernández-Aquino","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Autónoma de Baja California: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Saúl","middleName":"","lastName":"Hernández-Aquino","suffix":""},{"id":509554374,"identity":"4f5cfab1-5118-497b-ae1d-5bfcf1d83a47","order_by":3,"name":"Rodrigo Flores-Garivay","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Autónoma de Baja California: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rodrigo","middleName":"","lastName":"Flores-Garivay","suffix":""},{"id":509554375,"identity":"9bb4f2b9-f3b8-4a55-852f-82e126563b7a","order_by":4,"name":"Lorenzo Buenabad-Carrasco","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecologia","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lorenzo","middleName":"","lastName":"Buenabad-Carrasco","suffix":""},{"id":509554376,"identity":"b762479b-f308-4b43-aee4-4e264156b19f","order_by":5,"name":"Juan González-Maldonado","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3863-786X","institution":"Universidad Autónoma de Baja California: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Juan","middleName":"","lastName":"González-Maldonado","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-08-21 23:18:58","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7429506/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7429506/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04814-9","type":"published","date":"2025-12-19T15:57:19+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":98815635,"identity":"8c0a6391-1e21-4f4f-bcff-c7689e99cf04","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-22 16:15:08","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":864462,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7429506/v1/0d4e0d8b-8574-497a-a06e-fbbe1fc5f52b.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Short- and long-term effects of social hierarchy level on seminal quality and behavior traits in goat bucks","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe effects of social hierarchy level (dominant vs subordinate) on seminal quality and behavioral traits in male ruminants have been investigated over the past years (Ekiz et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Shreffler \u0026amp; Hohenboken, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1974\u003c/span\u003e). However, it is still a trending topic because of the existence of contradictory results, and there are also questions that remain to be answered. Regarding semen quality, some authors agree that dominant rams produce ejaculates of higher sperm concentration and volume than subordinate rams (Sifuentes-Lam\u0026oacute;nt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; V\u0026eacute;liz-Deras et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), while other authors have reported no effect of social hierarchy level in those and other semen quality traits on rams and goat bucks (V\u0026aacute;zquez et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; S\u0026aacute;nchez-D\u0026aacute;vila et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn addition, most of the available scientific literature studied the effects of social hierarchy on semen quality, sexual and social behavior in rams and bucks for a shorts period of time ( 2 to 63 days) (S\u0026aacute;nchez-D\u0026aacute;vila et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Ungerfeld et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Eeg\u0026uuml;l-Ekiz et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Sifuentes-Lam\u0026oacute;nt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). To our knowledge, only one study has explored the long-term effects of social hierarchy on semen quality and sexual behavior in rams (Aguirre et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, it awaits to be clarified if the known effects of social hierarchy on semen quality and behavioral traits are controlled by time length in goat bucks. The objective of the present study was to establish the short and long-term effects of social hierarchy on seminal quality, sexual and social behavioral traits in male goats.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLocation and experimental units and design\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study was carried out in a goat farm located at the Ejido Nuevo Le\u0026oacute;n, Mexicali, M\u0026eacute;xico.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe experimental units (10 bucks, 2.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17 years old, 1 Boer and 9 Boer \u0026times; Kalahari red breed, 26.92\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.90 cm of scrotal circumference and 66.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.22 kg of body weight) were allocated in individual pens for at least eight months previous to the start of the study. At day 0 of the study, the goat bucks were fasted for at least 16 h, and they were then placed at the same time in a single pen (5.3 \u0026times; 10.3 m). Alfalfa hay was provided to the bucks in five individual feeders (the space in each feeder allows access to only one buck at the time). The bucks that ate from the same feeder for at least 1 min were assigned to the dominant group, the rest of the bucks were assigned to the subordinate group (Synnott and Fulkerson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1984\u003c/span\u003e). The morphological traits of the experimental units in the experimental groups are shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The experimental period lasted seven months.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMorphological traits of goat bucks in the dominant and the subordinate groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMorphological trait\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGroup\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDominant (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSubordinate (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBody weight (kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eScrotal circumference (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.91\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBody length (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e137.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e132.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeight (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThoracic perimeter (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e98.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e93.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;22.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpace between eyes (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHorn size\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e*Measurements were taken using a flexible plastic tape as previously describe elsewhere (Sifuentes-Lam\u0026oacute;nt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e): body length (length from the base of the tail and the snout), height (distance between the base of the foot and the whithers), horn size (average distance from the base to the tip of both horns).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAnimal feeding and housing\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe goat bucks were housed in a single pen (5.3 \u0026times; 10.3 m with a shade area of 23.64 m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e). They were fed with alfalfa hay (1600 g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e buck\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e d\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) at 08:00 (800 g) and 17:00 (800 g) h, and they had ad libitum access to water.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSemen sample collection and body measurements\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe body weight was weekly recorded. The goat bucks were subjected to semen analysis and scrotal circumference measurement every other day from day cero (first day of grouping) to six days after grouping to detect a short-term effect of the social status (dominant vs subordinate), and then every week for approximately seven months to stablish a long-term effect of the social status. The measurement of the response variables was occasionally suspended during the long-term period due to hostile weather conditions and technical inconveniences, but the males were sampled for a total of 25 weeks within a seven-months period.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe semen samples were collected with an artificial vagina, using a restrained non-in estrus goat. The reaction time was measured with a chromometer to determine the time lapse between buck release from a fixed point to ejaculation. The ejaculated volume was determined by weighing (Moc\u0026eacute; et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). The ejaculate consistency was scored from 0 (watery) to 5 (thick, creamy) (Gore et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). A sample of 5.0 \u0026micro;L of semen was diluted in water (1:400) to determine sperm concentration using a Neubauer chamber (Gore et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 5.0 \u0026micro;L semen sample was diluted (1:200) in semen extender (Triladyl\u0026reg;: 60% water, 20% egg yolk, and 20% triladyl). The diluted semen sample was placed in a warm bath (28.0\u0026deg;C) to further analysis. A sample of 10 \u0026micro;L of diluted semen was placed on a warm slide covered with a coverslip (22 \u0026times; 22 mm) to assess the number of motile sperm and the number of spermatic cells with progressive motility, using a 40\u0026times; magnification microscope objective (Velab- B4 microscope); each counting was made separately.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe number of normal and live/dead sperms was determined by smearing equal volumes of the diluted semen sample with eosin-nigrosin stain. The stained-fixed sample was examined using a 100\u0026times; magnification microscope objective in oil immersion (Gore et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). A sample of 17 \u0026micro;L of diluted semen was mixed with 69 \u0026micro;L of 0.4% NaCl and 14 \u0026micro;L of eosin-negrosin (Padrik et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). A sample of 10 \u0026micro;L of the mix was placed on a slide covered with a coverslip (22 \u0026times; 22 mm) to assess the number of sperm with a coiled tail, using 40\u0026times; magnification microscope objective. A total of 100 sperm were counted for each semen quality determination.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSocial behavior traits before and after eating\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSocial interaction traits in dominant and subordinate goat bucks were recorded for 12 minutes before feeding time and for 12 minutes during feeding time. A group of five trained technicians recorded the number of times that every male buck hits (hit given), chases (chase given) mounts attempts (mount given) or it was hit (hit received), chased (chase received) and mounted attempt (mount received) by another male. In addition, the number of threats, fights, flehmen reflexes, vocalizations, and micturitions were recorded. To perform the social behavior traits evaluation, two goat bucks were assigned to each technician. The measurements were carried out before semen collections.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSexual activity of the bucks\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo evaluate the sexual activity of the males, physical contact between one buck at the time with 15 goats, located in a 5.3 \u0026times; 10.3 m pen, was allowed for three minutes after semen collection. The number of mounts, mount attempts, ano-genital sniffing, vocalization, and penne exteriorization were counted after each buck made contact with the goats. In addition, the time that each buck spent in other activities not related to sexual behavior (eating or exploring) was recorded with a chronometer. The measurements were carried out immediately after semen collection.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo accurately compare the two treatments and maximize the use of the sample size, the response variables were analyzed using mixed general linear models and generalized linear mixed models, considering repeated measures over time when applicable. The continuous variables were analyzed using general linear models and mixed linear models for repeated measures. In this case, different correlation structures were evaluated, selecting the one that provided the best fit according to the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). When significant differences were detected, mean separation was performed using Tukey\u0026rsquo;s test. The dichotomous categorical variables were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with a logit link function. The count categorical variables were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with a log link function. The analyses were performed using Infostat, integrating statistical packages from R (version 3.6.3).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eA short-term effect of social hierarchy level (dominant vs subordinate) was observed in seminal quality, and a long-term effect was observed in seminal quality and sexual behavior traits. The social behavior traits were not affected by either the short- or the long-term hierarchy level in goat bucks (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The live weight was not affected (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.05) by social status (71.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.12 \u003cem\u003evs\u003c/em\u003e 68.81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.12 kg for dominant and subordinate groups).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eShort and long-term effects of social hierarchy level on seminal quality and behavioral traits in goat bucks\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial hierarchy level\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eValor de P\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDominant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSubordinate\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eShort term effects on semen quality traits\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eScrotal circumference (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2784\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVolume (mL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3701\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSperm concentration (\u0026times;10\u003csup\u003e6\u003c/sup\u003e mL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3760.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;436.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2492.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;436.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0740\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMotile sperm (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2445\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSperm with progressive motility (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e99.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0026\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e98.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0130\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMembrane integrity (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.4118\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNormal sperms (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9844\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLife sperms (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.4760\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaction time (s)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1609\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShort-term effects on sexual behavior traits\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlehmen reflex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3212\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePenne extrusion\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.3E-4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.9E-9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVocalization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.5557\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSniffing\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.7004\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTime exploring\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.8175\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShor-term effects on social behavior traits\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ez\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHit given-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1007\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHit given-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.2E-7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.1E-5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9798\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHit received-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3523\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHit received-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.0E-5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.3E-3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9990\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThreats-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1777\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFights-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1470\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFights-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.7E-8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.1E-4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.3E-6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9998\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMount attempt received-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.4E-5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.8E-3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9989\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlemen reflex-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.9E-9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.6E-11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.0E-4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVocalization-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9429\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVocalization-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9998\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicturition-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.2E-4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.1E-6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.4E-3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9939\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLong-term effects on semen quality traits\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eScrotal circumference (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1136\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVolume (mL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.5844\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSperm concentration (\u0026times;10\u003csup\u003e9\u003c/sup\u003e mL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3582.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;229.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3412.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;229.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.6172\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMotile sperm (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.7771\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSperm with progressive motility (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2809\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMembrane integrity (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e17.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e19.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.0471\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNormal sperms (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.032\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1399\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLife sperms (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.036\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.037\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.5105\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaction time (s)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.5460\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLong-term effects on sexual behavior traits\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlehmen reflex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9111\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePenne exteriorization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;21.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9997\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVocalization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.92\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0069\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSniffing\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3923\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTime exploring\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9828\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLong-term effects on social behavior traits\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ez\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHit given-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.0E-5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.2E-4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHit received-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.2E-8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.9E-5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.2E-7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.2E-3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9997\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHit received-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.5E-5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0563\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThreats-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.7E-11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.9E-6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.6E-11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.1E-6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThreats-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.7E-9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.2E-4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.3E-10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.0E-5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFights-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.6E-5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.0E-6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.2E-3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9991\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFights-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.8E-4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.6E-3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9997\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMount attempt received-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.3E-11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.2E-7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.0E-9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.0E-5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVocalization-BF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;64.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;178.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9923\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVocalization-DF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ez\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003eBF: before feeding; DF: during feeding.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThere is a controversy regarding the effects of social hierarchy on semen quality. Authors have reported that dominant rams produce semen sample of higher concentration and volume than subordinate males (Aguirre et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). However, other authors have reported no effects (V\u0026aacute;zquez et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; S\u0026aacute;nchez-D\u0026aacute;vila et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) or limited effects (Sifuentes-Lam\u0026oacute;nt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; V\u0026eacute;liz-Deras et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) of hierarchy level on those variables in rams and goat bucks. Disagreement among research studies might be related to the number of ejaculate collections per male to perform semen analysis, which vary from two (Sifuentes-Lam\u0026oacute;nt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; V\u0026eacute;liz-Deras et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), five (V\u0026aacute;zquez et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e), nine (S\u0026aacute;nchez-D\u0026aacute;vila et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), and 24 (Aguirre et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). To increase results accuracy, it is advisable to increase the number of samples during seme analysis, because of the high variability of semen traits values (Giriboni et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProgressive motility was superior in dominant than in subordinate bucks only during the short-term effect of social hierarchy level. However, after the long-term analysis, the subordinate males produce a better semen quality in terms of membrane integrity in comparison to dominant males. These results support previous findings (D\u0026iacute;az et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), suggesting that ewes preferred to interact and mate with subordinate males, probably because of the better semen quality observed in the long term.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn order to observe agonist behavior between dominant and subordinate males, a competition state must be established either by space limitations, feed and female availability (Ort\u0026iacute;z et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e). For example, authors have provoked a competition state to stablish a hierarchy level by exposing males to an estrus ewe within a confine space (6.25 m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) (Sifuentes-Lam\u0026oacute;nt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). In the present study, there was no space, food a female availability limitation to elicit competition. Therefore, there was no difference in social behavior traits before and during feeding. In agreement, research has shown that the welfare of the low rank males is not compromised by the presence of dominant males as long as there are no feed and space limitations (Eeg\u0026uuml;l-Ekiz et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe number of vocalizations was the only variable related to sexual behavior that was affected by social hierarchy. The dominant goat bucks performed a higher number of vocalizations than subordinate males. This difference might be explained by a possibly higher libido of dominant than subordinate males (Aguirre et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results of the current study demonstrate that in the short-term, the hierarchy level does not affect the sexual and social behavior traits, but the dominant males produce semen samples with higher progressive motility than the subordinate males. In the long-term, the hierarchy level does not affect the social behavior traits, but the subordinate males produce seminal samples with better membrane integrity, and they perform a lower number of vocalizations than dominant males.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eConsent for publication.\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStatement of animal rights\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ethical Research Evaluation and Postgrad Committee from the Instituto de Ciencias Agr\u0026iacute;colas, Universidad Aut\u0026oacute;noma de Baja California, M\u0026eacute;xico approved the experimental procedures and animal handling.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompeting Interests\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthor contributions\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Jos\u0026eacute; R. Haro-Torres, Gustavo Ram\u0026iacute;rez-Valverde, Lorenzo Buenabad-Carrasco and Juan Gonz\u0026aacute;lez Maldonado. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Jos\u0026eacute; R. Haro-Torres and Juan Gonz\u0026aacute;lez Maldonado and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eData availability\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe raw data that support the research is available upon request to the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAguirre V, Orihuela A, V\u0026aacute;zquez R (2007). Seasonal variations in sexual behavior, testosterone, testicular size and semen characteristics, as affected by social dominance, of tropical hair rams (Ovis aries). Anim Sci J 78(4), 417\u0026ndash;423. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-0929.2007.00456.x\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalder\u0026oacute;n-Leyva G, Sifuentes-Lamont PI (2024). Horn presence determines social rank in Dorper rams. Ecosist Recur Agropec 11(2): e4004. https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a11n2.4004\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD\u0026iacute;az A, Orihuela A, Aguirre V, Clemente N, Pedernera M, Flores-P\u0026eacute;rez I, V\u0026aacute;zquez R, Ungerfeld R (2021). Ewes prefer subordinate rather than dominant rams as sexual partners. Appl Anim Behav Sci 238: 105306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105306.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEeg\u0026uuml;l-Ekiz E, Yalcintan H, Yilmaz A, Akyazi I, Eraslan E, Ekiz B (2020). Influence of social rank on certain stress response variables and behavioral characteristics of adult rams. Turkish J Vet Anim Sci 44(5): 975\u0026ndash;984. https://doi.org/10.3906/vet-2003-98\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEkiz, B, Yalcintan H, Ergul-Ekiz E (2024). Do the determinants of dominance index and social rank in adult rams vary by breed?. Small Rumin Res 231: 107177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.107177\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGiriboni J, Lacuesta L, Dami\u0026aacute;n JP, Ungerfeld R. (2015). Grouping previously unknown bucks is a stressor with negative effects on reproduction. Trop Anim Health Prod 47(2): 317\u0026ndash;322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-014-0722-2\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGore DLM, Muasya TK, Okeno TO, Mburu, JN (2020). Comparative reproductive performance of Saanen and Toggenburg bucks raised under tropical environment. Trop Anim Health Prod 52(5), 2653\u0026ndash;2658. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02297-4\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoc\u0026eacute; ML, Esteve IC, P\u0026eacute;rez-Fuentes S, G\u0026oacute;mez EA, Moc\u0026eacute; E (2022). Microbiota in goat buck ejaculates differs between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Front Vet Sci 9: 1\u0026ndash;14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.867671\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrt\u0026iacute;z AM, Silva C, Montes de Oc C, Dzul D, Xiu R (2001). Jerarqu\u0026iacute;a y dominancia social en el macho cabr\u0026iacute;o bajo condiciones de tr\u0026oacute;pico subh\u0026uacute;medo. \u003cem\u003eRev Cuba Cienc Agr\u0026iacute;cola\u003c/em\u003e 35(4): 323\u0026ndash;330. http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=193018246002\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePadrik P, Hallap T, Kaart T, Bulitko T, Jaakma \u0026Uuml; (2012). Relationships between the results of hypo-osmotic swelling tests, sperm motility, and fertility in Estonian Holstein dairy bulls. Czech J Anim Sci 57(10): 490\u0026ndash;497. https://doi.org/10.17221/6349-cjas\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eS\u0026aacute;nchez-D\u0026aacute;vila F, Barrag\u0026aacute;n HB, del Bosque-Gonz\u0026aacute;lez AS, Ungerfeld R (2018). Social dominance affects the development of sexual behaviour but not semen output in yearling bucks. Theriogenology 110: 168\u0026ndash;174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.01.004\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShreffler C, Hohenboken WD (1974). Dominance and mating behavior in ram lambs. \u003cem\u003eJ Anim Sci\u003c/em\u003e 39: 725\u0026ndash;731. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1974.394725x\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSifuentes-Lam\u0026oacute;nt PI, Meza-Herrera CA, V\u0026eacute;liz-Deras FG, Alvarado-Espino AS, Alvarado-Espino A V, Calder\u0026oacute;n-Leyva G, Angel-Garcia O, Carrillo-Moreno DI, Contreras-Villarreal V, Delgado Gonz\u0026aacute;lez RA, Bustamante-Andrade JA (2022). Multifaceted interplay among social dominance, body condition, appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors, and semen quality in Dorper rams during out-of-season and transition periods. Animals 12: 3339. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233339\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSynnott AL, Fulkerson WJ (1984). Influence of social interaction between rams on their serving capacity. Appl Anim Ethol 11: 283\u0026ndash;289. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3762(84)90035-X\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUngerfeld R, Lacuesta L, Orihuela A (2023). Stress response and sexual performance of acutely grouped dominant and subordinate rams of different ages. J Vet Behav 59: 30\u0026ndash;35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.11.013\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUngerfeld R, Orihuela A, P\u0026eacute;rez-Clariget R (2019). Sexual behavior of subordinate, but not dominant, rams increases following observed sexual activity. Theriogenology 129: 99\u0026ndash;102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.02.033\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eV\u0026aacute;zquez R, Orihuela A, Aguirre V (2012). Effect of dominance-subordinate relationship and familiarity of an audience male on young rams\u0026rsquo; libido and semen characteristics. J Vet Behav Clin Appl Res 7: 80\u0026ndash;83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.05.026\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eV\u0026eacute;liz-Deras FG, Gonz\u0026aacute;lez-Taviz\u0026oacute;n A, Meza-Herrera CA, Arellano-Rodr\u0026iacute;guez G, Mellado M, \u0026Aacute;ngel-Garc\u0026iacute;a O, Ar\u0026eacute;valo JR, Contreras-Villarreal V (2022). Effect of rams\u0026rsquo; social hierarchy upon scrotal circumference, semen quality, and copulation performance under arid land conditions. Emirates J Food Agric 34: 1054\u0026ndash;1060. https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2022.v34.i12.2962\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":true,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"tropical-animal-health-and-production","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"trop","sideBox":"Learn more about [Tropical Animal Health and Production](https://www.springer.com/journal/11250)","snPcode":"11250","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11250/3","title":"Tropical Animal Health and Production","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"dominant, sexual, social, subordinate, sperm","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7429506/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7429506/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eSocial hierarchy affects semen quality and social interactions in males. However, the long-term effects of social hierarchy on semen quality, sexual, and social traits in goat bucks are unknown. Goat bucks were assigned to the dominant and subordinate groups. Semen quality, sexual, and social behavior traits were evaluated every other day for six days to establish a short-term effect, and every week for 25 weeks to establish a long-term effect of social hierarchy. There was not a short-term effect (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) of social hierarchy in social and sexual behavior traits, but dominant males produced seminal samples with higher (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05) progressive motility than subordinate males. There was a long-term effect on semen quality and sexual behavior, but no in social behavior traits. The subordinate males produce seminal samples with better (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05) membrane integrity, but performed a lower (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05) number of vocalizations than dominant males. In conclusion, social hierarchy affects the semen quality in the short-term, and sexual behavior traits and semen quality in the long-term.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Short- and long-term effects of social hierarchy level on seminal quality and behavior traits in goat bucks","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-09 15:37:42","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7429506/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2025-09-03T08:58:38+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-03T08:41:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-08-22T12:11:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Tropical Animal Health and Production","date":"2025-08-21T19:18:46+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"tropical-animal-health-and-production","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"trop","sideBox":"Learn more about [Tropical Animal Health and Production](https://www.springer.com/journal/11250)","snPcode":"11250","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11250/3","title":"Tropical Animal Health and Production","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"deaeabf0-20db-4e6d-a298-eb228c2d8c2a","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 9th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-22T16:13:41+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7429506","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04814-9","journal":{"identity":"tropical-animal-health-and-production","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Tropical Animal Health and Production"},"publishedOn":"2025-12-19 15:57:19","publishedOnDateReadable":"December 19th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-09 15:37:42","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04814-9","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04814-9","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7429506","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7429506","identity":"rs-7429506","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}