Effect of age and season on the testicular sperm reserve and testosterone profile in camel (camelus dromedarius)
I.I. El-Kon, B.A. Heleil, S.A. Mahmoud
Anim Reprod, vol.8, n3/4, p.68-72, 2011
Abstract
The present investigation aimed to determine the effects of age and seasons of the year on the testicular sperm reserve and serum testosterone concentration in dromedary camels. Testes were collected from a local slaughterhouse during a period of one year (breeding and non-breeding seasons) from two age groups (GI: 4-6 yr and GII: 8-10 yr). Testicular sperm reserve was determined during the breeding (December-May) and non-breeding (June-November) seasons. Blood samples were collected for determination of serum testosterone concentration (ng/ml). There was highly significant difference (P < 0.01) in the testicular sperm reserve between breeding (13.58 x 109 ) and non-breeding (9.90 x 109 ) seasons. The serum testosterone concentration (ng/ml) was significantly increased during the breeding season (10.94 ng/ml) compared with that of the non-breeding season (4.43 ng/ml). Testicular sperm reserve (14.34 in GII vs. 9.13 in GI) and serum testosterone concentration (10.43 vs. 4.94 ng/ml) were significantly (P < 0.01) increased by age. It could be concluded that the age of the animal and season of the year have significant effects on the testicular sperm reserve and serum testosterone concentration in dromedary camels.
Keywords
age, camel, season, testicular sperm reserve, testosterone.