Hormone Measurements and Histomorphological Observations in Male Bactrian Camels

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bactrian camel age on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis hormone and to determine the morphological changes of the testis. The Bactrian camels were divided into two groups based on their ages, including three years old (puberty) and six years old (adult). The results showed that the testicular weight was significantly heavier in adult male camels than in pubertal male camels (p <0.05). There were also significant differences between testicular length, testicular width and testicular volume (p < 0.05). In the testes of both pubertal and adult male camels, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongated spermatids were observed. Adult male camels had more Sertoli cells (p<0.01) and elongated spermatids (p <0.05). The concentrations of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were higher in the plasma and testes of camels than in pubertal camels (p <0.05), and E2 concentrations were lower in adult camels than in pubertal camels (p <0.05). Plasma testosterone levels were significantly higher in adults than in puberty, and testosterone levels in testicular tissue were also higher than in plasma in both adult and pubertal stage (p <0.05). In conclusion, these findings provide supportive knowledge and show the significant differences in terms of testicular volume, testicular hormone concentrations, and testicular morphology between different developmental stages in Bactrian camels.