Temporal Variations of LH and Testosterone in Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) from Birth to Adulthood

To determine the onset of puberty in Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), a longitudinal study was conducted in 5 captive males at the National Wildlife Research Centre, Taif (Saudi Arabia). From birth to 20 months of age, twice weekly, animals were weighed and blood was assayed for LH and testosterone. Fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:General and comparative endocrinology 1998-09, Vol.111 (3), p.283-289
Main Authors: Ancrenaz, M., Blanvillain, C., Delhomme, A., Greth, A., Sempéré, A.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging - blood
Animals
Antelopes - blood
Body Weight - physiology
Female
Luteinizing Hormone - blood
Male
Sexual Maturation - physiology
Testosterone - blood
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:To determine the onset of puberty in Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), a longitudinal study was conducted in 5 captive males at the National Wildlife Research Centre, Taif (Saudi Arabia). From birth to 20 months of age, twice weekly, animals were weighed and blood was assayed for LH and testosterone. Four periods were defined by analysis of the hormonal profile. During the first 5 months (corresponding to prepuberty), mean LH concentrations increased significantly while testosterone remained basal. Testosterone increased significantly during the second period (from 6 to 7 months) while LH decreased significantly. The testosterone pattern suggests that the animals reached puberty at around 7 months old. Mean LH concentrations remained at a similar level before and after puberty and increased significantly between the 12th and 13th months of life. This increment correspond to the transition between two further periods. The third period (8–12 months) was characterized by testosterone peaks of 2.4 ± 0.1 ng ml−1which irregularly occurred over a period of 26.6 ± 2.7 days and was followed by a fourth period, during which peaks were seen at 24.1 ± 1.6-day intervals and reached 4.7 ± 0.2 ng ml−1. This last period probably corresponds to the mature stage of puberty. The testosterone cyclicity in oryx, coinciding with the estrous cycle length of the female, would permit the male to be fertile throughout the year and could be an adaptive response to the opportunistic and aseasonal reproductive cycle of the female.
ISSN:0016-6480
1095-6840
DOI:10.1006/gcen.1998.7100