Increased daily sperm production in the breeding season of stallions is explained by an elevated population of spermatogonia.
Abstract: Seasonal variation in number of spermatogonia and germ cell degeneration was evaluated to determine which mechanism might explain seasonal differences in daily sperm production per testis (DSP/testis) or per g parenchyma (DSP/g) in stallions. Comparing 28 adult stallions (4 to 20 yr old) in each of the nonbreeding (December-January) and breeding (June-July) seasons, the population of type A spermatogonia was more than two times greater (P less than 0.01) in the breeding season. While the number of type B spermatogonia also was elevated (P less than 0.01) in the breeding season, the number of type B spermatogonia/type A spermatogonium was similar (P greater than 0.05) between seasons. Daily sperm production/testis based on each cell type from type B spermatogonia to spermatids with elongated nuclei was lower (P less than 0.01) in the nonbreeding season. Based on DSP/g, there was significant degeneration during the meiotic divisions in the nonbreeding season. However, this reduction in potential spermatozoan production was not significant (P greater than 0.05) when considering DSP/testis. Significant germ cell degeneration also occurred in the breeding season between type B spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes. However, the type A spermatogonial population was sufficiently elevated to override this degeneration and to explain elevated production of sperm in the breeding season of stallions.
Publication Date: 1985-06-01 PubMed ID: 4016174DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod32.5.1181Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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This research investigates the seasonal differences in daily sperm production in stallions, finding an increased population of particular cells (spermatogonia) during the breeding season contributes to this variation.
Objective and Methodology
- The researchers examined the seasonal differences in daily sperm production per testis (DSP/testis) or per gram parenchyma (DSP/g) in stallions by evaluating variations in the number of spermatogonia and amount of germ cell degeneration.
- The study included 28 adult stallions aged between 4 to 20 years old. Data was collected in both nonbreeding (December-January) and breeding (June-July) seasons.
Findings
- The study found that during the breeding season, the population of type A spermatogonia was more than two times greater compared to the nonbreeding season.
- Though the number of type B spermatogonia was also higher in the breeding season, the ratio of type B to type A spermatogonia remained similar across both seasons.
- Compared to the nonbreeding season, daily sperm production/testis was lower across all cell stages, from type B spermatogonia to spermatids with elongated nuclei.
- Significant cell degeneration happened during meiotic divisions in the nonbreeding season, significantly reducing potential spermatozoan production based on DSP/g. However, this reduction was not significant when considering DSP/testis.
Conclusion
- The breeding season also exhibited significant germ cell degeneration between type B spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes.
- Despite this degeneration, the elevated population of type A spermatogonia was sufficient to maintain higher sperm production during the breeding season.
- This study concludes that an increased population of type A spermatogonia during the breeding season leads to elevated sperm production in stallions during this period.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnson L.
(1985).
Increased daily sperm production in the breeding season of stallions is explained by an elevated population of spermatogonia.
Biol Reprod, 32(5), 1181-1190.
https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod32.5.1181 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Meiosis
- Organ Size
- Reproduction
- Seasons
- Sperm Count
- Spermatocytes / cytology
- Spermatogenesis
- Spermatogonia / cytology
- Spermatozoa / cytology
- Spermatozoa / physiology
- Testis / anatomy & histology
Grant Funding
- HD-16773 / NICHD NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Varner DD. Odyssey of the spermatozoon.. Asian J Androl 2015 Jul-Aug;17(4):522-8.
- Costa GM, Avelar GF, Rezende-Neto JV, Campos-Junior PH, Lacerda SM, Andrade BS, Thomé RG, Hofmann MC, Franca LR. Spermatogonial stem cell markers and niche in equids.. PLoS One 2012;7(8):e44091.
- Leme DP, Papa FO, Roser JF. Reproductive characteristics of stallions during the breeding and non-breeding season in a tropical region.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2012 Oct;44(7):1703-7.
- Chaturvedi PK, Johnson L. Architectural arrangement of stages of the spermatogenic cycle within human seminiferous tubules is related to efficiency of spermatogenesis.. Cell Tissue Res 1993 Jul;273(1):65-70.
- Lin M, Jones RC. Renewal and proliferation of spermatogonia during spermatogenesis in the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica.. Cell Tissue Res 1992 Mar;267(3):591-601.
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