Testis characteristics of pubertal large white boars reared in a humid tropical environment.
The histomorphometric characteristics of heat-adapted pubertal Large White boars were investigated. Paired testes weight and sperm producing capacity were drastically lower than those of adult boars. Tunica albuginea weight relative to paired testes weight, proportion of round spermatids, the relative frequencies of the stages of the cycle of seminiferous epithelium and fertility were however similar to those of adult boars. The results show that the difference between pubertal and boars in spermatozoal production is a function of the testes weight.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000502:physiology; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013087:Spermatids / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development*; D014329:Tropical Climate