Differences in reproductive pattern between wild and domestic rams are not associated with inter-specific annual variations in plasma prolactin and melatonin concentrations

This study compares morphological changes, performed with real-time transrectal ultrasonography, of testis and accessory glands and seasonal endocrine changes in a wild (Mouflon) and a domesticated (Spanish Merino) breed of sheep. In Mouflons, the maximum plasma testosterone concentrations, testicul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Domestic animal endocrinology 2005-05, Vol.28 (4), p.416-429
Main Authors: Santiago-Moreno, J., Gómez-Brunet, A., González-Bulnes, A., Toledano-Díaz, A., Malpaux, B., López-Sebastián, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal reproduction
Animals
bulbourethral gland
Bulbourethral glands
Computer Science
domestication
hormone secretion
Life Sciences
Male
male reproductive system
Melatonin
Melatonin - blood
mouflon
Prolactin
Prolactin - blood
rams
Reproduction - physiology
seasonal variation
Seasons
Seminal vesicles
Sheep - blood
Sheep - physiology
sheep breeds
Spanish Merino
testes
Testis - diagnostic imaging
Testis - physiology
Testosterone
Testosterone - blood
Ultrasonography
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Summary:This study compares morphological changes, performed with real-time transrectal ultrasonography, of testis and accessory glands and seasonal endocrine changes in a wild (Mouflon) and a domesticated (Spanish Merino) breed of sheep. In Mouflons, the maximum plasma testosterone concentrations, testicular diameter and vesicular gland size occurred synchronously during autumn ( P < 0.001). In Merino rams the highest circulating levels of testosterone ( P < 0.05) and maximum testicular diameter ( P < 0.001) occurred during summer, with no seasonal variations in vesicular and bulbourethral glands. The seasonal changes in plasma concentrations of prolactin were not correlated with annual variations in testicular and glandular size in neither wild nor domestic species. No differences were observed between both species for the seasonal pattern of prolactin secretion and mean amplitude of melatonin. Wide differences in reproductive patterns between wild and domestic types of rams do not appear to be attributed to seasonal changes in prolactin and melatonin secretion.
ISSN:0739-7240
1879-0054
DOI:10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.02.002