Age at Puberty (months)

Description: 
Age in months of the animal at which the reproductive system acquires its mature form and function; it is the age at which the gonads begin to secrete sufficient steroids to accelerate the growth of the genital organs and the development of secondary sexual characteristicsthis. It is the time of first oestrus in females and the time when the male is first capable of fertile service. For females, this usually corresponds to the age when ewe lambs weight is roughly two-thrid of the normal adult weight. Puberty usually occurs at a lower liveweight than is practical for breeding. Hence, age at sexual maturity is the age at which the animal is sexually mature to start reproduction (Campion et al., 1975; Bath et al., 1985; Berger et al. 1989; Mukasa-Mugerwa, 1989).
Is Identifier Required?: 
Identifier Name: 
Identify What?: 
Trait Category: 
Is Age Required?: 
Use in Summary?: 
Sex Group: