The annual cycle of the testis of the elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) at Macquarie Island
The testis of the Southern elephant seal demonstrates seasonal changes in weight, with highest values early in the breeding season (September‐November) and lowest values in mid‐winter (May‐June). Weight changes originate in the seminiferous tubules, there being little variation in the interstitial t...
Published in: | Journal of Zoology |
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Main Author: | |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
1984
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02326.x https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1984.tb02326.x https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02326.x https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02326.x |
Summary: | The testis of the Southern elephant seal demonstrates seasonal changes in weight, with highest values early in the breeding season (September‐November) and lowest values in mid‐winter (May‐June). Weight changes originate in the seminiferous tubules, there being little variation in the interstitial tissue. Spermatogenesis begins in August, one month before the breeding season, and stops in November. Testicular testosterone concentration is significantly elevated in the months July‐September. Plasma testosterone concentration is high only in September, the first month of breeding. |
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