Age-related changes in plasma testosterone concentrations and genital organs content of bulk and trace elements in the male dromedary camel

Abstract

There is a paucity of information regarding the influence of plasma testosterone concentrations and inorganic cations secreted in the different seminal fractions on the spermatozoon activity throughout the reproductive life of the one-humped camels. To demonstrate these relationships, the genital organs of 12 prepubertal (<3 years), 9 peripubertal (3–<5 years), 16 mature (5–<15 years) and 15 aged (≥15 years) camels were collected from the Buraidah slaughter house (Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia) during two consecutive breeding seasons (November–April) over 2 years. Plasma testosterone concentrations (mean±S.E.) did not exceed 1.4 ng/ml in prepubertal animals with a 3–4 fold increase in peripubertal (3.2±0.4 ng/ml) and mature (4.8±0.6 ng/ml) camels followed by about 50% decrease (2.6±0.3 ng/ml) in aged ones. These hormonal changes were correlated significantly with concentrations of certain elements in the testes (highest Na, Ca and Cu contents), epididymides (highest P and Fe contents), prostrate (highest Zn content), and bulbo-urethral glands (highest K and Mg contents). The significance of some interrelationships among the different cations and their biological effects on sperm production and metabolic activity were discussed.