Behavioural and morphological effects of 5α-dihydrotestosterone and oestradiol-17β in the prepubertally castrated boar

in Reproduction
Authors:
R. F. Parrott
Search for other papers by R. F. Parrott in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
W. D. Booth
Search for other papers by W. D. Booth in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0710453
Volume/Issue:
Volume 71: Issue 2
Page Range:
453–461
Article Type:
Research Article
Online Publication Date:
Jul 1984
Free access

Sign up for journal news

Summary. Three groups of 5 prepubertally castrated boars received twice weekly subcutaneous injections from 16 to 28 weeks of age of 5α-dihydrotestosterone propionate (1 mg/kg), oestradiol-17β dipropionate (0·1 mg/kg), or a combination of the two steroids. The pigs were tested each week for sexual behaviour with an oestrogen-treated ovariectomized gilt. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone did not induce copulatory behaviour whereas oestradiol initiated mounting, although this behaviour was not maintained. However, the combined hormonal treatment induced the full pattern of copulation, including ejaculation, in 4/5 pigs. Oestrogen-treated animals also showed champing and salivation. None of the pigs treated with 5α-dihydrotestosterone showed lordosis when exposed to a mature boar. Increases in the size of the penis, the ischioand bulbocavernosus muscles, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands were produced by 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and, with the exception of the penis, this hypertrophy was further enhanced by additional treatment with oestradiol. Increases in the weight of the prostate and muscular urethra were due mainly to the effects of oestrogen; this steroid caused extensive development of fibromuscular tissue and also increased mammary teat length. In the submaxillary salivary glands, synergism between 5α-dihydrotestosterone and oestradiol resulted in hypertrophy of the serous cells.

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 140 31 3
PDF Downloads 85 40 6

 

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