Seasonal variations in testicular morphology in Uruguayan Corriedale rams

Gastel, T; Bielli, Alejandro; Pérez, Raúl López; López, Almudena López; Castrillejo, A.; Tagle, Rodrigo; Franco, Jorge Quintal; Laborde, D.; Forsberg, M.; Rodriguez‐Martinez, Heriberto

doi:10.1016/0378-4320(95)01402-l

Cited by 21 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…These animals were fed green fodder, hay and 0.5 kg of concentrates per head daily. In a previous study [13], however, we found that Corriedale rams showed mild seasonal variations in testicular morphology and function when reared under Uruguayan extensive conditions, grazing solely on natural pastures. Scrotal circumference and seminiferous tubules diameter varied throughout the year, with lower values in winter.…”

mentioning

confidence: 55%

“…The present study was carried out to test the hypothesis that the seasonal variations in testicular morphology recorded in Corriedale rams feeding solely on natural pastures [13] differ from the seasonal variations recorded in Corriedale rams obtaining a higher quality diet by grazing on improved pastures. Most data indicate that there was a difference between groups in the degree of winter testicular regression, being less prominent in animals grazing on improved pastures (Group H) than in rams fed only natural pastures (Group L).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…in autumn (March), winter (June), spring (September) and summer (December), three animals were randomly selected from each group and their body weights were recorded. Live weight (LW) was calculated after substracting expected fleece growth [13]. Thereafter, the rams were clinically examined, their scrotal circumference (SC) was measured with a flexible tape at the widest scrotal diameter and the scrotal contents were palpated.…”

Section: Animals and Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spermatogenesis always occurred and no changes in sperm morphology were seen during the year. Gastel et al [13] suggested that changes in photoperiod and feeding conditions could account for the observed seasonal variations in reproductive variables.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The rams belonged to the next generation of the lineage previously studied [13] and were raised at the same location under similar management conditions.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Influence of Nutrition on Seasonal Variations in Testicular Morphology and Function in Corriedale Rams.

Bielli

Gastel

Pérez

et al. 1997

Journal of Reproduction and Development

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Abstract. To test the hypothesis that seasonal variations in testicular morphology and function differ in Corriedale rams subject to different feeding levels, 24 spring-born Corriedale rams, aged 14-15 months at the beginning of the trial and raised under extensive grazing conditions in Uruguay, were allotted at random to two groups: Group H, that grazed on improved (sown) pastures, and Group L, the control, that grazed on natural pastures (range). Clinical data (live weight, scrotal circumference), semen, blood and tissue samples (testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle) were collected during each of four seasons (for one month/season) of the year. According to data measured, testicular form and function had its peak in autumn followed by a decline in winter and a subsequent recovery in spring and summer. Live weight loss during winter was significantly decreased in Group L but not in Group H. Scrotal circumference, seminiferous tubules diameter and seminal vesicle epithelial height decreased significantly during winter in both groups. Group H scrotal circumference returned earlier (spring) than Group L (summer) to autumn values. By summer, seminiferous tubules and seminal vesicle epithelial height had returned to autumn values in Group H, but not in Group L. Decrements of scrotal circumference in winter and spring were milder in Group H than in Group L animals. Group H testosterone values in autumn were higher than those from Group L in spring. In summary: 1) differences existed in seasonal variations in testicular morphology and function between Corriedale rams subjected to different feeding levels and, 2) the findings suggest that nutritional factors contributed, at least partly, to the differences in variations observed throughout the experiment. Key words: Rams, Testis, Seasonality, Nutrition, Morphology.(J. Reprod. Dev. 43: [171][172][173][174][175][176][177][178][179][180] 1997) ale sheep reproduction is seasonal. However, the degree of seasonality in male sheep factors. The most important cue for rams reproductive seasonal variations in cold-temperate regions is the annual cycle of increasing and decreasing photoperiod. The magnitude of the change in daylength among seasons varies widely depending on the latitude. Nutrition is another M reproduction varies, depending on a number of

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mentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Animals and Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The rams belonged to the next generation of the lineage previously studied [13] and were raised at the same location under similar management conditions.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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