Testosterone secretion during gubernacular development and testicular descent in the dog

in Reproduction
Authors:
Vera Baumans
Search for other papers by Vera Baumans in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
S. J. Dieleman
Search for other papers by S. J. Dieleman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
H. S. Wouterse
Search for other papers by H. S. Wouterse in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Leni van Tol
Search for other papers by Leni van Tol in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Grietje Dijkstra
Search for other papers by Grietje Dijkstra in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
C. J. G. Wensing
Search for other papers by C. J. G. Wensing in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
View More View Less
Free access

Summary. Serum testosterone concentrations ranged from 0·24 to 1·45 nmol/1 between Day 53 post coitum (p.c.) until Day 40 post partum (p.p.) and did not show variations that could be correlated with the process of testicular descent. The intratesticular androgen appeared to be mainly testosterone, its concentration being about 5000-fold higher than that in serum whereas 5α-dihydrotestosterone could not be demonstrated. The intratesticular testosterone concentration at the initiation of gubernacular regression (Day 0) was apparently, but not significantly, higher than at Day 49 p.c. and at Day 40 p.p. The ability of the neonatal canine testis to synthesize testosterone was indicated by increased serum testosterone concentrations after hCG stimulation.