Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis ›› 2016, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (5): 393-397,406.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-616x.2016.05.012

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Seasonal changes in spermatogenesis in silver fox

CHENG Lifang1,2, LIU Ming2, ZHU Maoying2, CHEN Deyu2   

  1. 1. College of Life Science, Anhui University, Hefei 230601;
    2. Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, Anhui, China
  • Received:2016-01-30 Revised:2016-05-26 Online:2016-09-30 Published:2016-09-30

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Fox is a seasonal single-estrus animal and its spermatogenesis is stage-specific. The objective of our study was to ascertain the impact of seasonal variations on silver fox spermatogenesis. METHODS: Silver fox testicles were taken in September,November and January for measurement of testicular volume,weight and other basic morphological parameters. Testosterone in the testes was measured by enzyme-linked assay. Tissue slice seminiferous tubules from all kinds of raw composition and proportion of sperm cells were analyzed. RESULTS: In September,November,January,the average testicular weights were (0.896±0.002) g,(3.365±0.081) g and (5.241 ±0.100) g;volume were (1.215±0.036) cm3,(5.558±0.794) cm3 and (14.112±2.854) cm3 and testosterone contents were (0.211±0.060) μg/g,(2.040±0.202) μg/g,(3.240±0.432) μg/g,respectively. Testicular volume, weight and testosterone concentrations in the three months were significantly different (P<0.05). The content of testosterone and the weight changes were positively correlated (r=0.991). In the different seasons,the composition and number of the spermatogenic cell in seminiferous tubules changed with the seasons significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that spermatogenesis in silver fox showed typical seasonal patterns. The information can be used to determine the best time of semen collection and the approach to enhance artificial fertilization rate.

Key words: silver fox, testis, spermatogenesis, seasonal changes

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