Testicular and body growth, peripheral concentrations of testosterone and carcass parameters in Nelore bulls

An experiment was carried out to evaluate testicular and body growth, peripheral concentrations of testosterone (T) and carcass parameters, from 10 to 30 months of age, in Nelore bulls (n = 27). Between 11 and 21 months, animals were treated with GnRH and blood samples taken 0, 1.5 and 3.0 hours afterwards. Animals were slaughtered at 30 months. Body weight (BW) varied from 195.2 +/- 3.8 kg to 439.1 +/- 8.1 kg between 10 and 30 months of age and the ratio BW/carcasss was 55.4 +/- 2.3%. Testicular (TW) and epididimal weight (EW) at slaughter were 160.9 +/- 7.7 g and 20.5 +/- 0.62 g, respectively. Testosterone secretion reached higher levels between 16 and 18 months and treatment with GnRH caused increases in testosterone at all ages. Moreover, basal concentrations of T were related to those determined after GnRH (r = 0.41 to 0.63). Body weight from 10 to 30 months was correlated with SC at all ages (r = 0.41 to 0.70) and with testicular (r = 0.48 to 0.62) and epididyinal weight (r = 0.48 to 0.73) at 30 months. Carcass weight was related to TW (r = 0.45) and EW (r = 0.63). Body weight evaluated from 10 to 30 months was related to carcass weight (r = 0.65 to 0.93). but the ratio BW/carcass did not present any correlation with SC, TW, BW or testosterone levels. Scrotal circumference at 30 months was related to SC from 10 to 25 months (r = 0.51 to 0.89). Therefore, testis criteria since prepubertal ages are potential indicators of body growth and carcass weight in adult bulls.