Prenatal and Postnatal Influences on Testicular Growth and Development in Boars

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Abstract
Prenatal and postnatal influences on testicular development in boars were investigated utilizing crossfostering techniques. Dams were paired within 24 hr after parturition and were randomly assigned to nurse either a large (14 pigs) or small (six pigs) litter. Each litter contained approximately equal numbers of progeny from each dam with males given preference during the transfer. Data were collected on 189 boars representing 42 litters and three farrowing seasons. Pigs were weaned at 56 days. Testes width, testes length and body weight were measured at 56, 84, 112, 140 and 168 days. Boars reared in small litters were heavier at 56, 84, 112, 140 (P.05) days. Testes width and length in situ were greater in boars from small litters at all ages but the differences were significant only at 56 and 84 days. Boars were castrated at 168 days and excised testes were weighed and measured. Epididymides were separated from the testes and weighed also. Total sperm number in the testes and epididymides were determined. There were no significant differences due to litter size as reared for any of the measures on excised testes or epididymides. Season affected testes length (P<.05) at 3, 4, 5 and 6 months. Prenatal effects were generally not significant. However, these effects accounted for up to 30% of the variance, suggesting possible important genetic influences on testicular development. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.

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