Development of some male characteristics supported by oestrone but not dehydroepiandrosterone in the boar

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Abstract
Prepubertally castrated boars received s.c. injections twice weekly, from 13 to 35 wk of age, of dehydroepiandrosterone (2 mg/5 kg) or estrone (1 mg/5 kg). Dehydroepiandrosterone did not support the growth and secretory activity of the accessory organs, or induce copulatory behavior. Estrone caused hypertrophy of the prostate, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands which was due to an increase in fibrous stromal tissue and not to the secretory epithelium. Estrone also induced some male mating behavior patterns in the presence of an estrous gilt, although penile extrusion and ejaculation did not occur. The morphological and behavioral effects of the steroid treatments were supported by steroid profiles in blood plasma as seen in comparison with androgen and estrogen values of intact and untreated castrated boars. Estrogen in the intact boar might enhance the secretion of the accessory organs by affecting the neural control of the secretory processes rather than by increasing the amount of secretory epithelium in the glands.