Increased testicular growth of Tasmanian Merino ram lambs treated with antisera to oestrogens

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Passive immunization against estrone and estradiol increased the rate of testicular growth (P < 0.01) without a statistically significant change in the concentrations of LH [lutropin] and FSH [follitropin] at the time of measurement. Although the testosterone concentration was higher in the group with the largest testes, the difference was not statistically significant. Within groups, the FSH concentration was correlated with the estrone antibody titer (r = 0.5); estrone may have a particular role to play in the feedback control of FSH release in the ram. The testosterone concentration was correlated with that of LH (r = 0.65). A role of estrogens in the control of testicular growth is indicated. The testes of Merino lambs apparently grow more quickly when gonadal feedback is reduced.