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Serological and histolomorphological investigation of camel bulls testes (Camelus dromedaries) during the rutting and non-rutting seasons - PubMed

  • ️Mon Jan 01 2024

Serological and histolomorphological investigation of camel bulls testes (Camelus dromedaries) during the rutting and non-rutting seasons

Fatma Ali et al. BMC Vet Res. 2024.

Abstract

Background: Camels are bred for their milk, meat, wool and hair, transportation, and their excrement as fuel. The seasonal reproduction of camel bull is accompanied by changes in sexual activity, the morphology, and function of the testes. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal fluctuations in serum testosterone (T) levels as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the testes of dromedary bulls (Camelus dromedarius) during the rutting and non-rutting seasons. Moreover, the impact of rutting season on the testicular size and histomorphology was also observed. Seventy mature dromedary bulls were divided into a rutting group (n = 35) and a non-rutting group (n = 35). From these bulls, blood samples and testes were collected during the rutting season (October to April) and non-rutting season (May to September) from a local slaughterhouse.

Results: All parameters changed significantly during rutting and non-rutting periods in camel bulls. The levels of TAC in testes, and serum T were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the rutting group than in the non-rutting group. However, testicular MDA was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the rutting group than in the non-rutting group. TAC was negatively correlated with MDA (r = -0.59, p < 0.01). Moreover, in the rutting group and the non-rutting group, T was positively correlated with levels of TAC (r = 0.66, p < 0.0003). Additionally, testicular size (length, breadth, and thickness) was significantly greater in camels during the rutting season than in camels during the non-rutting season. Moreover, the number and diameter of seminiferous tubules, and spermatogenesis increased during the rutting season, whereas, the collagen content and apoptosis increased during the non-rutting season.

Conclusion: This study revealed that the rutting normal breeding season (NBS, rutting group) was associated with higher levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), T, and spermatogenic activity while the collagen content, concentrations of MDA (the oxidative stress factor) and apoptosis (an outcome of oxidative stress) were lower than those in the low breeding season (LBS, non-rutting group). In addition, the testicular size and seminiferous tubule diameter and number were higher during the NBS.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Apoptosis; Dromedary Camel; Non-rutting, Rutting; Oxidative stress; Spermatogenesis; Testes.

© 2024. The Author(s).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1

Photomicrographs of paraffin sections in camel testis during non-rutting (A & C) and rutting (B & D) seasons. A: Showing few seminiferous tubules (ST) surrounded by abundant interstitial and trabecular connective tissues (CT). B: Showing numerous seminiferous tubules (ST) surrounded by few interstitial and trabecular connective tissues (CT). C: Showing few seminiferous tubules (ST) surrounded by abundant collagen fibers (CF). D: Showing numerous seminiferous tubules (ST) surrounded by few collagen fibers (CF). Original magnification; A-D: X40, scale bar = 500 μm, A & B: Crossmon’s trichrome technique, C & D: Picro-Sirius red technique

Fig. 2
Fig. 2

Showing the mean number of seminiferous tubules per unite area during rutting and non-rutting seasons

Fig. 3
Fig. 3

Photomicrographs of paraffin sections in camel testis during non-rutting (A & C) and rutting (B & D) seasons. A: Showing seminiferous tubule had a wide lumen and lined by stratified germinal epithelium and Sertoli cells (S). This germinal epithelium was formed of spermatogonia (Sg), primary spermatocyte (Pr), few spermatids (Sp) attached to the cytoplasmic processes at the apex of Sertoli cells (S). Note the myoid cells (M) concentrically arranged around seminiferous tubule. B: Showing seminiferous tubule had a narrow lumen filled with sperm and lined by stratified germinal epithelium and Sertoli cells (S). This germinal epithelium was formed of spermatogonia (Sg), primary spermatocyte (Pr), and many spermatids (Sp) attached to the cytoplasmic processes at the apex of Sertoli cells (S). Note the myoid cells (M) concentrically arranged around the seminiferous tubule. C: Showing Leydig cells (LC) which were polyhedral lightly stained vacuolated (arrow) epithelioid cells with a single centrally or eccentrically located rounded to ovoid nucleus (arrowheads) with prominent nucleoli. These cells are separated by a few blood vessels (BV). D: Showing Leydig cells (LC) which were polyhedral foamy eosinophilic (arrow) epithelioid cells with a single centrally or eccentrically located rounded to ovoid nucleus (arrowheads) with prominent nucleoli. These cells are separated by many blood vessels (BV). Original magnification; A-D: X1000, Scale bar A-D = 20 μm, Hx & E

Fig. 4
Fig. 4

Photomicrographs of paraffin sections in camel testis during non-rutting (A) and rutting (B) seasons. A: Showing seminiferous tubules (ST) had nearly regular PAS-positive seminiferous basement membrane (arrowhead) B: Showing seminiferous tubules (ST) had irregular PAS-positive seminiferous basement membrane (arrowhead). Note Leydig cells (LC) between seminiferous tubules. Original magnification; A-B: X200, Scale bar A & B = 100 μm, PAS & Hx

Fig. 5
Fig. 5

Photomicrographs of TUNEL assay of paraffin sections in camel testis during non-rutting (A) and rutting (B) seasons. A: Showing seminiferous tubules (ST) with many apoptotic spermatogenic cells (arrowheads) and interstitial tissues (IST) with many apoptotic Leydig cells (arrow). B: Showing seminiferous tubules (ST) with few apoptotic spermatogenic cells (arrowheads) and interstitial tissues (IST) with normal Leydig cells

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