Puberty Vs Sexual maturity

PUBERTY Vs SEXUAL MATURITY

Development of puberty

  • Primary spermatocytes appear in the seminiferous tubules by 4 to 6 months and spermatozoa by 7-9 months of age in bulls.
  • Seminal secretion from the accessory glands appears by 5-6 months.
  • Separation of the penis from the sheath in bulls proceeds caudally beginning at one month of age and ending with complete separation by 8 months of age.
  • The period from 6 to 10 months of age in bulls is characterized by the accelerated growth of male genital system, increase in GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus, increase in concentration of LH in plasma, external manifestations of puberty and the rapid onset of spermatogenesis.

Puberal bulls Prepubertal buck

Sexual maturity

Attainment of puberty does not signify the full reproductive capacity in males

  • A highly significant increase in ejaculate volume, output of motile spermatozoa and concentration of spermatozoa in bulls for 6-9 months after the onset of puberty. Hence, there is gap between the attainment of puberty and full reproductive capacity.
  • Males attains full potential of reproduction at the time of attainment of sexual maturity. If puberty is delayed, sexual maturity also gets delayed.
  • Because of the lack of maturity after the onset of puberty immature males should be sparingly used for breeding purposes for ½ to 1 year or more after reaching the puberty.

Signs of puberty

  • Pubertal period indicate accelerated growth rate of genital system – increased LH releasing factor in hypothalamus and plasma LH.

Onset of puberty in male is characterized by

  • Secondary sexual signs
  • Sex desire
  • Ability to copulate and presence of viable spermatozoa in the ejaculate
  • First appearance of seminal secretion from accessory sex glands.

Mechanism for onset of puberty/sex desire

  • Onset of puberty in the male domestic animals occurs at approximately the same time after birth as puberty in females of the same species.
  • It is brought about by the release of gonadotrophic hormone from the anterior pituitary resulting in the secretion of steroid hormones from the gonads that cause growth of genital organs and secondary sex characteristics.
Last modified: Monday, 11 June 2012, 10:57 AM