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Effect of Elevated Ambient Temperature on Testis and Blood Levels and In Vitro Biosynthesis of Testosterone in the Ram

The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Columbus 43210^,3

Abstract

Thirty-four yearling rams were subjected to Ohio spring conditions (control) or elevated temperature for 2 weeks in a temperature controlled room (treated).

Rams had significantly smaller testes after heat treatment, compared to controls. Concentration of testosterone in testis tissue was 1.09±0.52 µg/g dry wt. for controls, but only 0.35±0.15 µg/g for testes from treated rams (P<.05). Similarly, spermatic venous blood testosterone decreased (P<.05) from 8.2±4.4 to 1.9±0.6 µg/100 ml plasma following treatment. Testis tissue from treated rams also incorporated less labeled precursor (cholesterol and pregnenolone) into testosterone in vitro than tissue from control rams.

¹ Present address: Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana.

² Present address: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens.

³ Contribution from the Animal Reproduction Teaching and Research Center and the Department of Dairy Science. Supported in part by USPHS Grant No. HD 03822. Journal Article No. 18-71, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.