title: Morphometric evaluation of seminiferous tubule and proportionate numerical analysis of Sertoli and spermatogenic cells indicate differences between crossbred and purebred bulls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study compared the testicular cytology and histology between crossbred (Holstein-Friesian [HF] × Tharparkar) and purebred (HF and Tharparkar) bulls to find out differences if any.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four peripubertal bulls from each breed were utilized for the study. Through percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy, Sertoli and spermatogenic cells were extracted, and morphometry was studied. For histological studies, testicular tissues obtained through unilateral castration were utilized. Sertoli cells specific GATA4 antibody was used to study the population of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubule through immunofluorescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The testicular weight, volume, and scrotal circumference differed significantly among the breeds. The diameter and area of the seminiferous tubule was high in HF, followed by Karan Fries (KF), and Tharparkar bulls. However, the degree of compactness, based on qualitative evaluation, was high in Tharparkar followed by KF and HF bulls. The intensity of Leydig cells was higher in Tharparkar bulls followed by KF and HF. The proportion of Sertoli cells was higher (p<0.05) in HF and Tharparkar bulls compared to KF bulls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It may be concluded that variations exist in testicular components of the breeds studied and the proportion of Sertoli cells in relation to spermatogenic cells was significantly lower in crossbred bulls compared to purebred bulls.
authors.affiliation: Theriogenology Laboratory, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Utkarsh K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.affiliation: Theriogenology Laboratory, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Shivani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chhillar
authors.affiliation: Theriogenology Laboratory, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumaresan
authors.affiliation: Theriogenology Laboratory, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: M K Muhammad
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.affiliation: Theriogenology Laboratory, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rajak
authors.affiliation: Theriogenology Laboratory, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Samiksha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Theriogenology Laboratory, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manimaran
authors.affiliation: Artificial Breeding Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Savita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yadav
keywords: Sertoli cells; crossbred bulls; purebred bulls; seminiferous tubules; testicular histology