Annual changes in testicular size and serum and fecal testosterone concentrations in male bharals, Pseudois nayaur.
The serum and fecal testosterone (T) concentrations and testicular sizes of two male bharals (Pseudois nayaur) were determined for approximately one year. The profiles of the fecal T concentrations showed a similar tendency as the profiles of serum T concentrations, and there was a significant correlation between serum and fecal T concentrations (r=0.72). T concentrations rose drastically in October and decreased gradually until January. The maximum testicular size was observed between November and January. Semen collected between December and January was excellent in quality and comparable to domestic sheep and goats. The active periods of the testes were synchronized with the early breeding season of females.
Kusuda
Satoshi
S
United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Japan.
Nagami
Hirotada
H
Kusunoki
Hiroshi
H
Nishikaku
Tomoya
T
Nakagawa
Daisuke
D
Takida
Toyoharu
T
Kurita
Daisuke
D
Uemichi
Koji
K
Fukai
Masaki
M
Kubota
Hiroshi
H
Ueda
Kaoru
K
Ooe
Tomoko
T
Okuda
Kazuo
K
Ueda
Kayoko
K
Doi
Osamu
O
D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D013739:Testosterone