title: Testis developments and puberty in the male Tokara (Japanese native) goat.
abstract: In male Tokara (Japanese native) goats, testis development and the onset of puberty were studied histologically and observing sexual behaviour. Testes weight increased from 36+/-5.4 (S.E.) g (n=5) at 3 months of age to 126+/-6.3 g (n=6) at 12 months. The degree of the testis development differed among kids at 3 months of age and only one of four had produced spermatozoa in the testis. Large number of spermatozoa were always present in seminiferous tubules and epididymal ducts from 4 months of age. The diameter of seminiferous tubules increased from 133+/-9.9 microm (n=4) at 3 months to 198+/-1.0 microm (n=3) at 6 months with little increase thereafter. Mounting and pelvic thrusts onto a teaser doe started at from 9 to 14 weeks of age. Ejaculated semen contained sperm with good motility for the first time from 17 weeks. The male Tokara goat reaches puberty at around 4 months of age but testis development continues to 12 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, 812-8581, Fukuoka, Japan. shotaro@agr.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasukouchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gotoh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tabata
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*