DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14334/Proc.Intsem.LPVT-2016-p.265-270 265 Quality and Viability of Javanese Local Ram Semen at Different Age Solihati N, Rasad SD, Setiawan R, Alvionita C Faculty of Animal Science, Padjadjaran University Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia nurcholidah@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Age is one of determinant factors on semen quality due to its relation with the development of male’s reproductive tracts. Therefore, the objective of this study was to observe semen quality and viability at different level of ages in Javanese local sheep. The method used in this study was Complete Randomized Design with five groups of treatment consisted of groups of sheep aged: under 12 months (G1), 12-24 months (G2), 25-36 months (G3), 37-48 months (G4), and 49-72 months (G5). Each group consisted of four rams as replication and each replication was evaluated four times. Data collective which analyzed descriptively were: semen color, odor, viscosity, pH, sperm viability. While data on semen volume, sperm concentration, and sperm abnormality were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s multiple range test for the differences among treatments. The result showed that no significant different found for semen quality parameters at different ages of ram (P>0.05), except for sperm motility (P<0.05). The lowest sperm motility (70.62%) found in G1 and significantly differs from other groups. The lowest sperm viability was also found in G1 after the chilled semen was kept for 4 to 5 days at 40% of motility, while the highest viability was in G3 by 9 days for 43.75% of motility. In conclusion: (1) Sperm motility of local ram semen was influenced by age; (2) Ram aged 25-36 months produces the highest motility of sperm and viability. Key Words: Semen Quality, Sperm Viability, Age, Local Ram INTRODUCTION Age of livestock is one of the easiest parameters in breeding selection program of ram for semen quality. This parameter is correlated with scrotal circumference thus by increasing the ability of tubulus seminiferous in sperm production. At puberty, ram tends to have lower semen quality, but in increased along with the increasing of age however the semen quality decreased in older ram. Age and scrotal circumference is positively correlated with semen production and total sperm concentration (Nataatmaja & Arifin 2008). Ram aged 1-2 years is an optimum stage in the development of testicular size. At this stage, the average development of testicular circumference and testicular size reach maximum change by 1.68 and 0.79 cm, respectively. The development decrease when the ram aged 2-3 years by 0.68 cm of testicular circumference and 0.64 cm of testicular length. The slight increase of testicular size in ram at three years age showed that the development of the testes decreased (Koyuncu et al. 2005). Feradis (2010a) reported that the development of age related testicular size is affected by hormonal status in the body. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) increased significantly during puberty which leads to stimulate leydig cells and testosterone. This hormone is responsible for the production of sperm. However, the hormone decreased in old rams. Several publications elucidated that semen quality produced from ram aged 2-5 years higher that that produced from ram aged more than 8 years (Rizal et al. 2003; David et al. 2006; Sudarjat 2009). Information concerning age related semen quality of ram needs to be explored in more detail, especially in indigenous breed ram. Therefore, the aim of this