Postnatal testicular development and testosterone changes in Ghezel ram lambs

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the histological structure of testis and hormonal changes during prepubertal Ghezel ram lambs. Histometrical evaluation of the testis was performed in 36 Ghezel lambs from one to 9 months of age. Lambs were allotted into nine groups, and surgically castrated each month from 1 to 9 months of age (n = 4 lambs per group). In addition, blood samples were taken from six animals from 1 month of age to adulthood to measure plasma levels of testosterone. With the age held constant, scrotal circumference and body weight were correlated (r = 0.960, P