Age-related and seasonal variation in the Sertoli cell population, daily sperm production and serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone in stallions.
Abstract: Testes and blood samples were obtained from 201 stallions aged 6 months to 20 years in either December-January (nonbreeding season) or June-July (breeding season) to study the effect of age and season on reproductive parameters. Seasonal differences in the Sertoli cell population of adult (4-20 years old) horses were characterized by a 36% larger number of Sertoli cells in the breeding season than in the nonbreeding season. Seasonal elevation in the Sertoli cell population was associated with an increase in testicular weight and daily sperm production per testis (DSP/testis). Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in serum varied with season. Although follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations also tended to be higher in the breeding season, this trend was not statistically significant (P less than 0.08). Sertoli cell numbers averaged over both seasons, like testicular weights, increased with age until 4-5 years of age, but were stabilized thereafter. This age-related difference was also associated with increased concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone, and with increased DSP/testis. The Sertoli cell population was capable of increasing in the adult horse by fluctuating its size with season. The number of elongated spermatids per Sertoli cell over both seasons increased with age up to 4-5 years of age and was stabilized thereafter. Thus, seasonal and/or age-related differences in DSP/testis were associated with significant elevations in serum concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone, testicular weights, numbers of elongated spermatids per Sertoli cell and elevation of the Sertoli cell population.
Publication Date: 1983-10-01 PubMed ID: 6414546DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod29.3.777Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The study investigates how age and seasonal changes impact the reproductive parameters of 201 stallions, ranging from 6 months old to 20 years old. The research found that variations occurred in Sertoli cell populations, daily sperm production, as well as concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone.
Sertoli Cell Population and Testicular Weight
- The population of Sertoli cells, which are crucial for sperm production and maturation, changes with age and season. Adult horses showed a 36% increase in Sertoli cells during the breeding season compared to the non-breeding season.
- The increase in the Sertoli cell population was linked to a proportional increase in testicular weight and daily sperm production per testis (DSP/testis).
- Despite the seasonal fluctuations, the Sertoli cell numbers and testicular weights typically increased with age until the stallion was about 4-5 years old and then stabilized.
Hormonal Concentrations
- The concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in the blood showed seasonal variations. These hormones are essential for sperm production and sexual behavior in males.
- The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which also contributes to sperm production, tended to be higher in the breeding season but this trend was not statistically significant.
- Increased concentrations of FSH, LH, and testosterone were associated with the age-related differences observed, such as an increased testicular weight and higher daily sperm production.
Age, Sertoli Cells, and Spermatids
- The study found that the Sertoli cell population in an adult horse can increase by modifying its size with the season.
- The number of mature sperm cells (or elongated spermatids) per Sertoli cell also increased with age until about 4-5 years of age and then stabilized.
- This means that variations in daily sperm production per testis due to differences in either season or age can be associated with increases in FSH, LH and testosterone levels, an increase in testicular weights, a rise in the number of elongated spermatids per Sertoli cell and an increase in the Sertoli cell population.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnson L, Thompson DL.
(1983).
Age-related and seasonal variation in the Sertoli cell population, daily sperm production and serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone in stallions.
Biol Reprod, 29(3), 777-789.
https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod29.3.777 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Luteinizing Hormone / blood
- Male
- Seasons
- Sertoli Cells / cytology
- Spermatogenesis
- Testosterone / blood
Grant Funding
- HD16773-01A1 / NICHD NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Hasi G, Sodnompil T, Na H, Liu H, Ji M, Xie W, Nasenochir N. Hormone measurements and histomorphological observations in male Bactrian camels.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023 Jun 16;55(4):240.
- Naidenko SV, Alekseeva GS, Klyuchnikova PS, Erofeeva MN. Application of Felid Hair for Non-Invasive Tracking of Animal Reproductive Status and Adrenal Activity.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 16;12(20).
- Shakeel M, Yoon M. Functions of somatic cells for spermatogenesis in stallions.. J Anim Sci Technol 2022 Jul;64(4):654-670.
- Singh SP, Kharche SD, Pathak M, Soni YK, Ranjan R, Singh MK, Chauhan MS. Reproductive stage- and season-dependent culture characteristics of enriched caprine male germline stem cells.. Cytotechnology 2022 Feb;74(1):123-140.
- Orsolini MF, Meyers SA, Dini P. An Update on Semen Physiology, Technologies, and Selection Techniques for the Advancement of In Vitro Equine Embryo Production: Section I.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 13;11(11).
- Ebel F, Ulloa O, Strobel P, Ramírez-Reveco A. Semen Quality and Freezability Analyses in the Ejaculates of Two Poitou Donkeys in the Southern Hemisphere.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:662887.
- Bogacka I, Paukszto Ł, Jastrzębski JP, Czerwińska J, Chojnowska K, Kamińska B, Kurzyńska A, Smolińska N, Giżejewski Z, Kamiński T. Seasonal differences in the testicular transcriptome profile of free-living European beavers (Castor fiber L.) determined by the RNA-Seq method.. PLoS One 2017;12(7):e0180323.
- Figueiredo AF, França LR, Hess RA, Costa GM. Sertoli cells are capable of proliferation into adulthood in the transition region between the seminiferous tubules and the rete testis in Wistar rats.. Cell Cycle 2016 Sep 16;15(18):2486-96.
- França LR, Hess RA, Dufour JM, Hofmann MC, Griswold MD. The Sertoli cell: one hundred fifty years of beauty and plasticity.. Andrology 2016 Mar;4(2):189-212.
- Varner DD. Odyssey of the spermatozoon.. Asian J Androl 2015 Jul-Aug;17(4):522-8.
- Arregui L, Rathi R, Zeng W, Honaramooz A, Gomendio M, Roldan ER, Dobrinski I. Xenografting of adult mammalian testis tissue.. Anim Reprod Sci 2008 Jun;106(1-2):65-76.
- Kent MG, Schneller HE, Hegsted RL, Johnston SD, Wachtel SS. Concentration of serum testosterone in XY sex reversed horses.. J Endocrinol Invest 1988 Sep;11(8):609-13.
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