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Author Johnston, L.A.; Armstrong, D.L.; Brown, J.L.
Title Seasonal effects on seminal and endocrine traits in the captive snow leopard (Panthera uncia) Type Journal Article
Year 1994 Publication J Reprod Fertil Abbreviated Journal
Volume 102 Issue 1 Pages 229-236
Keywords Animal; Carnivora; physiology; Comparative; study; Fsh; Blood; Gonadotropins; Pituitary; Lh; Male; Seasons; Semen; Sperm; Motility; Spermatozoa; cytology; Testosterone; browse; 180
Abstract The annual reproductive cycle of the male snow leopard (Panthera uncia) was characterized by evaluating seminal and endocrine traits monthly. Testicular volume was greatest (P < 0.05) during the winter months when the quality of ejaculate was optimal. Ejaculate volume, total sperm concentration ml-1, motile sperm concentration per ejaculate, sperm morphology and sperm motility index were lowest during the summer and autumn months compared with the winter and spring. Peripheral LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations were also lowest during the summer months, increasing during the autumn just before the increase in semen quality, and were maximal during the winter months. There was a direct relationship (P < 0.01) between: (1) testosterone and testicular volume, total sperm concentration ml-1, motile sperm concentration per ejaculate and ejaculate volume, and (2) LH and testicular volume and motile sperm concentration per ejaculate. In summary, although spermatozoa were recovered throughout the year, optimal gamete quality was observed during the winter and spring. Although previous studies in felids have demonstrated seasonal effects on either seminal or endocrine traits, this is the first study to demonstrate a distinct effect of season on both pituitary and testicular function.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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ISSN 0022-4251 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Document Type: eng Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 252 Serial 504
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