Breed differences in testicular growth and gonadotropin secretion in prepubertal ram lambs

Lucas, J.R.; Notter, D. R.; McClaugherty, F. S.; Anderson, Gary; Gwazdauskas, F.C.

doi:10.1016/0093-691x(83)90116-4

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…These changes are followed by release of mature spermatids into the lumen and their movement into the mediastinum. Evaluation of scrotal circumference in bulls and rams with their pendulous scrotum offers an effective method to estimate testicular development in pubertal males [3][4][5][6]. However, assessment of scrotal circumference in pubertal boars is not practiced routinely, due to their nonpendulous scrotum with its broader attachment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of pubertal development of boars derived from ultrasonographic determination of testicular diameter

Ford

Wise

2011

Theriogenology

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At the onset of puberty, seminiferous tubules rapidly increase in diameter, thereby occupying a greater proportion of the testis, resulting in a rapid increase in testicular size. The objective of the current studies was to evaluate ultrasonography for assessing testicular diameter, as a basis for ranking boars relative to their extent of pubertal development. In the initial study, prior to castration at 4, 5, 6, or 7 mo of age, testicular length and diameter were assessed by ultrasonography in 160 anesthetized boars. After castration, testes were weighed. Mean diameter of seminiferous tubules and percentage of the testis occupied by tubules were determined by histological evaluations of all testes. Testicular volume was calculated from length and diameter and was correlated with testicular weight (P < 0.001; r ≧ 0.78) within each of the four age groups. At 4 and 5 mo of age, testicular diameter correlated positively (P < 0.001) with diameter of seminiferous tubules; this relationship was not significant at older ages. In two subsequent studies, testicular diameter determined ultrasonographically in conscious boars was highly correlated (r > 0.8) when assessed twice on the same day, or when diameter of the right was compared with diameter of the left testis. Similarly, testicular diameter obtained initially at 92 d of age correlated positively (P < 0.001) with the diameter observed at older ages, but the magnitude of the relationship decreased as time between evaluations increased. These findings supported ultrasonographic determination of testicular diameter during early pubertal development, as a means to rank boars of similar chronological age for extent of pubertal development.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%