Age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls

The aim of the present study was to evaluate age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls during their sexual development. A total of 36 bulls were selected and divided into four groups (n=9 in each) according to their age. Bulls included in Groups I, II, III and IV were 10, 12, 14 and 16 months old respectively. Left testes of bulls were subjected to histomorphometry after slaughter. Statistical analysis revealed that the secondary spennatocytes, round and elongated spermatids increased significantly (P<0.05) with the age of bulls. Likewise, both sertoli and leydig cell numbers increased significantly (P<0.05) with the age of bulls. However, the number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes did not change (P>0.05) due to age. The mean tubular diameter increased from 200.70 +/- 5.45 mu m (10 months of age) to 227.30 +/- 9.16 mu m (16 months of age) and the total volume of seminiferous tubule per testis from 69.63 +/- 1.50 % (10 months of age) to 84.64 +/- 2.53 % (16 months of age). A positive linear relationship (P<0.05) was found between meiotic index (Y) and the age (X, in month), which was characterized by the equation 0.048X+3.135 and a coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.396. The correlation between age and sertoli cell efficiency was 0.482 with a regression equation Y= 0.141X+7.696. It is concluded that histomorphometric parameters of the bulls' testes and spermatogenic activity are correlated with the age, so these parameters provide a reliable tool tier the assessment of the reproductive state and sperm production capacity of a bull in a breeding program.