Growth-related changes in testicular mass and plasma testosterone concentrations in long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas

in Reproduction
Authors:
G. Desportes
Search for other papers by G. Desportes in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
M. Saboureau
Search for other papers by M. Saboureau in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
A. Lacroix
Search for other papers by A. Lacroix in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.1020237
Volume/Issue:
Volume 102: Issue 1
Page Range:
237–244
Article Type:
Research Article
Online Publication Date:
Sep 1994
Free access

Sign up for journal news

Blood samples and testes were collected from long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) off the Faroe Islands at irregular intervals over a period of 3 years (July 1986–December 1989). Changes in testis mass (n = 674) and plasma testosterone concentrations (n = 214), measured by radioimmunoassay, were examined with respect to age, bodylength and bodymass of the animals. Corresponding to a rapid testicular growth (from 0.25 kg up to 1.9 kg), puberty occurred in male pilot whales of 4.6–5.7 m in bodylength, 1.2–1.9 tonnes in bodymass and 11–22 years of age. Changes in plasma testosterone concentrations confirmed this result, with very low values (< 2 ng ml−1) in immature animals (testis mass < 0.2 kg), followed by a sharp increase (from 2 to 29 ng ml−1) during the pubertal period, and the maintenance of high concentrations with large variability (> 1.5 ng ml−1 to 14 ng ml−1) in mature males. Testosterone concentrations were significantly correlated with testis mass (P < 0.001), but not with bodylength or age, and very large individual variations were observed in mature males. The average age, length and mass at the attainment of sexual maturity were estimated at 16.99 ± 0.30 years, 5.162 ± 0.013 m and 1.403 ± 0.005 tonnes, respectively.

Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.

The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.

More information is on the Reasons to publish page.

Sept 2018 onwards Past Year Past 30 Days
Full Text Views 383 125 5
PDF Downloads 131 54 8

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand
Print ISSN:
1470-1626
Online ISSN:
1741-7899