Changes in serum FSH concentrations in the pig during development

Abstract

Serum FSH concentrations were measured in fetal and prepubertal pigs between 40 days postcoitum and 25 weeks after birth. In addition, serum FSH was estimated in prepubertal, unilaterally cryptorchid, freemartin and castrated pigs. The average serum FSH concentrations in male and female fetuses was low (<2 ng/ml) until 80 days p.c. During the remaining fetal period, concentrations in females were elevated (7.9 ± 0.4 ng/ml) and remained fairly constant after birth (16.3 ± 0.8 ng/ml). In the male, serum FSH concentrations gradually rose to 22.5 ± 5.5 ng/ml during the first 3 weeks after birth and declined thereafter. The changes in FSH concentrations in male pigs are reflected in gonadal development. In contrast, in fetal and prepubertal females, ovarian development seems not to be influenced by changes in serum FSH concentrations. Unilateral cryptorchidism did not affect serum FSH concentrations. After castration, however, concentrations rose significantly. In freemartin pigs concentrations were similar to those in female pigs.