title: Pattern of gonadotropin secretion and ultrasonographic evaluation of developmental changes in the testis of early and late maturing bull calves.
abstract: This was a study that retrospectively analyzed serum gonadotropin secretion and the ultrasonographic appearance of the testis during development in prepubertal bull calves to determine whether there were differences between early and late maturing bulls. Blood samples were taken every other week from 2 wk of age until puberty. Samples were also taken at 12 minute intervals for 12 hours at 4, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 wk of age. The GnRH treatment was administered 10 hours after the start of each period of frequent blood sampling. Bull calves fell into two distinctive groups, with one group maturing between 36.6 and 44.2 wk (n = 12) and the other between 46.4 and 48.9 wk of age (n = 8). In samples taken every other week mean serum LH concentrations were greater in early maturing bulls than in late maturing bulls at 12, 14 and 16 wk of age (P<0.05). In blood samples taken every 12 minutes for 10 hours early maturing bull calves had higher mean serum LH concentrations at 4 and 10 wk of age (P<0.05) and higher LH pulse frequency at 10 and 20 wk of age (P<0.05). Mean serum LH concentrations at 4, 10 and 40 wk of age and LH pulse frequency at 10 and 20 wk of age were negatively correlated with age at puberty in bull calves. Mean pixel units of the right and left testis were higher from 34 to 40 wk of age in early maturing than in late maturing animals (P<0.05). It seems possible that hormone measurements and ultrasonographic characteristics of the testes could be developed into powerful tools for studies on the regulation of reproductive development and may aid in the prediction of reproductive potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Aravindakshan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Honaramooz
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bartlewski
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Rawlings
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000494:pharmacology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013737:Testis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide