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Effect of Diethylstilbestrol Implantation on Testicular Development in the Boar^{1, 2,}

Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster³ 44691

Abstract

The normal histological development of the boar testes was observed from the 100th day of gestation to 200 days after birth. At birth a large proportion of the testicular tissue was composed of interstitial cells. Diameter of the interstitial cells increased from the 100th prenatal day to birth and again from birth to the 20th day of age. Seminiferous tubule diameter significantly (P<.05) increased between the 60th and 80th postnatal day and continued to increase to the 140th day. Primary spermatocytes were occasionally seen at 80 days of age and were abundant by the 100th day. Spermatids were first observed at 120 days, and spermatozoa at 140 days. The subcutaneous implantation of 96 mg of diethylstilbestrol (DES) at 20 days of age caused some delay in the development of interstitial cells and, as measured by the first appearance of primary spermatocytes, delayed sexual maturity by approximately 20 days. Treatment at this age, however, caused no permanent alteration in cellular structure.

Similar DES implantation at a live weight of 70.3 kg (approximately 127 days of age) caused less pronounced histological change. Weekly observation indicated that seminiferous tubule diameter was decreased slightly during the first 35 days following treatment and there was no marked effect on the interstitial cells. Some decrease in the percentage of tubules which possessed spermatozoa was noted for 35 days after implantation.

¹ Approved for publication as Journal Article No. 29–70 by the Associate Director of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster.

² The assistance of Jan L. Hollinger in the preparation of histological sections and G. Berkey for the microphotography is gratefully acknowledged.

³ Department of Animal Science.