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Testicular Morphology and Function in Boars Differing in Concentrations of Plasma Follicle-Stimulating Hormone¹

^a University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908 ^b USDA, ARS, RLH US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933

The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological characteristics and testicular function of boars with different endogenous concentrations of FSH. Boars were selected at 6 mo of age on the basis of mean FSH concentrations in plasma collected at 4, 5, and 6 mo of age. Boars were classified within half-sibling families based on whether they had high concentrations of FSH (HiFSH, > 500 ng/ml, n = 9) or low concentrations (LoFSH, < 500 ng/ml, n = 7). At 14.5 mo, testes were collected, fixed, sectioned at 1 µm, and evaluated for morphological characteristics. Boars with LoFSH had larger (p < 0.01) testicular and epididymal weights than boars with HiFSH, greater (p < 0.01) daily sperm production per gram of testis, and greater total daily sperm production per boar. Testes of boars with LoFSH had a greater (p < 0.03) volume percentage of seminiferous tubules, a lesser percentage (p < 0.03) of Leydig cells, and a somewhat lesser (p = 0.06) percentage of vascular structures than testes of boars with HiFSH. Testes of boars with LoFSH had greater (p < 0.01) total tubule volume and tubule length than testes of boars with HiFSH. There were no differences (p > 0.70) in volume, diameter, or total number of Leydig cells or in total interstitial volume in testes (p > 0.41) of these two groups. Production of testosterone in vitro per paired testis and per million Leydig cells was not different (p > 0.65) between boars with HiFSH or LoFSH. Greater concentrations of FSH in blood plasma were negatively associated with development of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic efficiency, whereas Leydig cell development was not different in boars of these two groups.

¹ Research supported by the Nebraska Agricultural Division and UNL Center for Biotechnology. Published as Paper No. 12266 Journal Ser. Nebraska Agr. Res. Div. Mention of names is necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the same by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.

² Correspondence: Joe Ford, USDA, ARS, RLH US Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, NE 68933-0166. FAX: 402 762 4382; ford{at}email.marc.usda.gov

³ Current address: CNPSA/EMBRAPA, BR 153, km 110, Vila Tamandua - Caixa Postal 21, 89700-000 Concordia - SC, Brazil.

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