Macro and microscopic morphometry and somatic indexes of testicular components in Mongrel dogs, from puberty to senility

RESUMO MACRO AND MICROSCOPIC MORPHOMETRY AND SOMATIC INDEXES OF TESTICULAR COMPONENTS IN MONGREL DOGS, FROM PUBERTY TO SENILITY 1 Graduando Medicina Veterinaria, Universidade Federal de Vicosa 2 Departamento de Veterinaria, Universidade Federal de Vicosa. 36570-000 MG E-mail: tarcizio@ufv.br. 3 Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade federal de Vicosa. Dogs are classified into more than 400 races, being the mammal species with the largest variability in corporal mass. The use of testicular somatic indexes allows the comparison of individuals at different ages and with distinct corporal masses. In dogs without a defined race, an upward trend of the gonadossomatic index was observed up to 6 years of age. These values decline significantly in animals over the age of 10 years. The gonadossomatic index had a greater influence of the testicular parechima in comparison to the testicular albuginea at the differents ages analyzed. The tubulessomatic index (ITS) displayed an increase until the age of 5 to 6 years, decreasing significantly to minimum values in animals over the age of 10 years. The Leydigsomatic index followed the age-related behavior of the ITS. The use of somatic indexes allowed the comparison and establishment of the behavior of the different testicular parameters throughout different ages in animals presenting distinct corporal masses.