Effects of treatment with LH releasing hormone before the early increase in LH secretion on endocrine and reproductive development in bull calves

Abstract

Between 6 and 20 weeks of age an early increase in LH secretion has been reported in Hereford bull calves. Delaying this early increase in LH secretion delays testicular development. This study was designed to determine whether a premature increase in LH secretion during the early postnatal period enhances testicular development. Ten age- and body weight-matched Hereford bull calves were divided into two groups. One group (n = 5) received 200 ng LH releasing hormone (LHRH) i.v. every 2 h for 14 days, between 4 and 6 weeks of age. On the basis of blood samples taken every 15 min for 10 h, mean serum LH and testosterone concentrations and LH pulse frequency were increased by LHRH treatment (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of FSH were not significantly influenced by treatment (P > 0.05). In treated animals at 24 weeks of age, mean serum testosterone concentrations and LH pulse amplitude were increased (P < 0.05). The concentrations of spermatozoa in electroejeculates collected at 52 weeks of age were greater in LHRH-treated compared with control calves. Testicular growth was enhanced by LHRH treatment and histological evaluation of the testis at 54 weeks of age showed increased spermatogenesis and also larger numbers of Sertoli cells per tubule cross-section as a result of LHRH treatment. We conclude that treatment with LHRH before the early increase in LH secretion altered testicular development and suggest that the early increase in LH secretion in bull calves may be critical for initiating and regulating the progression of reproductive maturation.