Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques

INTRODUCTION

Puberty may be defined as the age or time at which the generative organs become functional and reproduction may occur.

Puberty in male

• Puberty in male is characterized by appearance of secondary sexual characteristics, sexual desire and presence of viable spermatozoa in semen.
• Pre-pubertal period includes age of infant to puberty. During this period, all these above characters are absent.
• Puberty does not indicate full reproductive capacity. In bulls, spermatocytes appear in the seminiferous tubules by 4-6 months of life, spermatids at 6-7 months of age, spermatozoa at 7-9 months of age. Seminal secretions are released by 5-7 months of age.
• The separation of prepuce starts from one month of age and completed by 8 months of age.