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Serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in stallions: developmental changes, seasonal variation, and differences between intact stallions, cryptorchid stallions, and geldings.
Abstract: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a homodimeric glycoprotein, is secreted early in fetal life when it exerts a crucial function in sexual differentiation. The secretion of AMH in male humans persists after birth and is characterized by high prepubertal concentrations followed by a significant decrease at the onset of puberty. The expression of AMH in the normal and cryptorchid equine testis is well characterized but data regarding circulating AMH concentrations are lacking. The objectives of this study were to determine serum AMH concentrations in neonatal colts and fillies, prepubertal colts, and postpubertal stallions, and to evaluate variations in serum AMH related to season and gonadal status of stallions. In addition, we examined the presence and determined concentrations of AMH in seminal plasma of mature stallions. Serum AMH concentrations were significantly higher in neonatal colts than in neonatal fillies. Moreover, concentrations of AMH are high in prepubertal colts whereas significantly lower concentrations were detected after puberty. In intact mature stallions, season influenced AMH concentrations with significantly higher concentrations during spring and summer. Serum AMH concentrations were significantly higher in cryptorchid stallions compared with intact stallions or geldings. Finally, AMH was identified in seminal plasma of intact mature stallions, but there was no significant correlation between serum and seminal plasma AMH concentrations. In conclusion, serum AMH concentration varies with sex in the neonatal period, postnatal sexual development and season, and serum AMH concentration can be used as a biomarker for the presence of testicular tissue.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-04-13 PubMed ID: 23591325DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.03.019Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study focuses on the serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in male horses. It investigates the varying levels of AMH across different stages of the horse’s lifespan, the fluctuations within seasonal changes and also the differences amongst stallions with varying physical characteristics.
Developmental Changes in Serum AMH Concentrations
- The study aimed to understand the shifting concentrations of AMH in horses from the neonatal stage to post-puberty. It was found that neonatal colts exhibited significantly higher concentrations of AMH as compared to neonatal fillies.
- High concentrations of AMH were recorded in prepubertal colts. However, when colts reached post-puberty, a significant decrease in the serum concentration of AMH was observed. The drop suggests that sexual maturation may influence the production and secretion of AMH in male horses.
Seasonal Variation in AMH Concentration
- The research also investigated seasonal variations in the concentration of AMH in mature stallions. The results indicated that the levels of AMH were higher during spring and summer. This finding suggests a potential correlation between AMH concentration and seasonal changes.
Differences in AMH Concentrations Based on Gonadal Status
- Further, the study explored the AMH concentrations in stallions with different gonadal statuses. In cryptorchid stallions, horses where one or both testes haven’t descended, the AMH concentration was found to be significantly higher than that of the normal stallions and geldings.
- The presence and concentrations of AMH in the seminal plasma of mature stallions were also examined. Although AMH was found in the seminal plasma, no significant relationship was established between the concentrations of AMH in serum and seminal plasma.
Biomarker Application
- The research findings suggested that the serum AMH concentration, which displayed variations based on the sex of the neonate, postnatal sexual development, and season, could be a potential biomarker for the presence of testicular tissue.
In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the behavior of AMH in male horses. More research, however, could still be needed to determine the implications of these findings on horse reproduction and the clinical applications of AMH as a biomarker.
Cite This Article
APA
Claes A, Ball BA, Almeida J, Corbin CJ, Conley AJ.
(2013).
Serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in stallions: developmental changes, seasonal variation, and differences between intact stallions, cryptorchid stallions, and geldings.
Theriogenology, 79(9), 1229-1235.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.03.019 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone / blood
- Cryptorchidism / blood
- Cryptorchidism / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Orchiectomy
- Reproducibility of Results
- Seasons
- Semen / chemistry
- Sexual Maturation
- Testosterone
Citations
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