LIBIDO/SEXUAL DESIRE/ SEX DRIVE

DR. K. LALRINTLUANGA
DEPTT. OF ANIMAL REROD., GYNAE & OBST.
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SCIENCES & A.H.
CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
 Libido

 Libido: means innate (inborn) sexual desire.

Libido may be defined as willingness and
eagerness to mount and attempt complete service.

 Reaction time: the period consumed by male from its

expose and release to female partner till the
male partner donates semen ejaculate into the female
genitalia / A.V. It is used to assess the sexual
desire in male.
Short reaction time excellent sex libido of male.

Long reaction time poor sex libido of male.

3 minutes reaction time. good bulls

>15 minutes reaction time problem cases.

 FACTORS AFFECTING THE SEX DRIVE IN BULLS
1. Hereditary
2. Nutrition
3. Systemic diseases
4. Age
5. Management practices
6. Psychogenic factors
7. Climatic factors
8. Endocrine factors
9. Injuries of joints, muscles, nerves and tendon
10. Diseases of the penis and prepuce.
1. Hereditary: Bulls with good libido produce more
offsprings with good libido and bulls with poor
libido produce more offsprings with poor libido.

Intensity of sex drive varies from breed to breed.

Indian breeds are poor in donating semen in A.V.

Hallikar and Amritmahal have stronger sex drive

compared to Sahiwal and Sindhi.
2. Nutrition: properly balanced diet in adequate
amount to maintain good body condition.
of TDN, protein, phosphorus, calcium, copper,
cobalt, iron, etc. would definitely influence the sex
drive in males.
Deficiencies, if are extreme enough, may lead to
complete loss of libido.

Over feeding results in the development of poor sex

libido.
3. Systemic disease:
Any disease causing depression, anorexia, fever,
loss of weight and pain etc. would affect the
sexual desire of the bull e.g. Pneumonia, Enteritis,
T.B., severe mange, severe parasitism, metastatic
tumors, traumatic gastritis and severe peritonitis,
etc.
4. Age: Young and inexperienced bulls may not take
interest in sexual activity.

Decreased sex drive in older bulls may be due to

(1) decline in the level of testosterone
(2) senility,
(3) loss of condition,
(4) excessive use of male and
(5) arthritis etc.
5. Management: The sex drive also depends upon the
way and the environment in which the bulls are
trained, handled and managed.
Bulls become apprehensive about change of
- barn
- attendants
- semen collection site.

 Acquaintance of dog with bitch is necessary for

copulation.
6. Psychogenic factors: should be reared in tension free
environment.
The sex drive of the bull may decline with
- repeated frustration,
- harsh handling,
- abusive handling,
- punishment,
- abusive language,
- improper restraints,
- uncomfortable place,
- improper footing,
- painful experience in the past,
- low ceiling,
- inadequate space,
Psychogenic factors Cont/-

-lesions of the spinal column,

-too hot or too cold of artificial vagina,
-strange attendants,
-sudden noise,
-change of mount animal and with its too
frequent use for semen collection.

 Presence of other bulls near the semen collection site

stimulates sex drive.
7. Climatic factors: The climate has little or no effect
on sex drive of native bulls and rams.

Reduced libido during summer in

- buffalo bulls,
- exotic bulls and
exotic rams.

8. Endocrine factors:
deficiency of circulating androgens reduce libido.
9. Injuries of joints, muscles, nerves and tendon:
 particularly affecting the rear quarter affect sex drive.

10. Diseases of the penis and prepuce: The diseases of

the penis and prepuce may be painful and hence
may affect sex drive.