Why too much sex isn't good in the long run

when you're a ram, that is.

| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

The largest and most well-endowed male sheep can copulate as many as 13 times a day, but in the end they can't compete with their smaller counterparts, according to a report in the 8 February Nature.

From a study of feral Soay sheep in the wild, Brian Preston of the University of Stirling and his colleagues found that although large rams are initially more successful at mating, and father more lambs overall, they eventually become depleted of sperm (Nature 2001, 409:681-682). Towards the end of the breeding season it is the smaller males who, having exerted themselves less, sire more lambs. The scientists also found an effect of copulation frequency on sperm quality. Rams that copulate more frequently produce fewer healthy sperm at the end of the breeding season. It seems too much sex can have ram-ifications.

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

  • Kenneth Lee

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
May digest 2025 cover
May 2025, Issue 1

Study Confirms Safety of Genetically Modified T Cells

A long-term study of nearly 800 patients demonstrated a strong safety profile for T cells engineered with viral vectors.

View this Issue
Detecting Residual Cell Line-Derived DNA with Droplet Digital PCR

Detecting Residual Cell Line-Derived DNA with Droplet Digital PCR

Bio-Rad
How technology makes PCR instruments easier to use.

Making Real-Time PCR More Straightforward

Thermo Fisher Logo
Characterizing Immune Memory to COVID-19 Vaccination

Characterizing Immune Memory to COVID-19 Vaccination

10X Genomics
Optimize PCR assays with true linear temperature gradients

Applied Biosystems™ VeriFlex™ System: True Temperature Control for PCR Protocols

Thermo Fisher Logo

Products

Leica Microsystems Logo

Latest AI software simplifies image analysis and speeds up insights for scientists

BioSkryb Genomics Logo

BioSkryb Genomics and Tecan introduce a single-cell multiomics workflow for sequencing-ready libraries in under ten hours

iStock

Agilent BioTek Cytation C10 Confocal Imaging Reader

agilent technologies logo
Sapio Sciences logo

Sapio Sciences Introduces Biorepository Management Solution