title: Changes in peripheral anti-Müllerian hormone concentration and their relationship with testicular structure in beef bull calves.
abstract: The aim of this study was to clarify the time-course of changes in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone (T) concentrations in peripheral blood and to determine the relationships between blood AMH concentration and testicular development during the early postnatal and prepubertal periods in beef bull calves. A total of 17 Japanese Black bull calves were enrolled in this study. The wk in which the calf was born (within 6 d after birth) was defined as M 0. Blood samples were taken once in every mo from M 0 to M 6 from each bull calf, and plasma AMH and T concentrations were determined. Of the 17 calves, 10 were castrated at 6 mo of age (prepuberty) and the right testis was histologically examined. Plasma AMH concentration (means ± SE) at M 0, 1, and 2 were 123.5 ± 9.8, 189.6 ± 18.7, and 254.6 ± 14.1 ng/mL, respectively. From M 0 through M 2, plasma AMH concentration was significantly greater each mo than in the previous mo (P < 0.05); however, plasma AMH concentration significantly decreased over the last 3 mo of the study (P < 0.05). The average age at which plasma AMH concentration was the highest was 2.3 ± 0.1 mo of age. Plasma T concentration significantly increased from M 0 (0.18 ± 0.02 ng/mL) until M 6 (6.52 ± 1.41 ng/mL). Plasma AMH and T concentrations at M 4, 5, and 6 were significantly negatively correlated (P < 0.05). Linear regression did not reveal a significant relationship between Sertoli or Leydig cell numbers and plasma AMH or T concentrations, respectively. In conclusion, blood AMH concentration peaks at 2 mo of age and is negatively correlated with blood T concentration from 4 to 6 mo of age. Although prepubertal blood AMH or T concentrations did not reflect Sertoli or Leydig cell numbers at the end of the prepubertal period, blood AMH concentration may be indicative of abnormal Sertoli cells function.
authors: Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan; Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan. Electronic address: gkitahara@cc.miyazaki-u.ac.jp.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kitahara
authors: Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kamata
authors: Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan; Organization for Promotion of Tenure Track, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Sasaki
authors: Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan; Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mansoura, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: El-Sheikh Ali
authors: Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Mido
authors: Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan; Sumiyoshi Livestock Science Station, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 880-0121, Japan.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Sumiyoshi Livestock Science Station, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 880-0121, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Hemmi
authors: Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan; Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Osawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
chemical_list: D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone
keywords: Anti-Müllerian hormone; Beef bull calf; Leydig cell; Sertoli cell; Testosterone