Endocrine and Testicular Changes Associated with Season, Artificial Photoperiod, And the Peri-Pubertal Period in Stallions

Abstract

The seasonal reproductive cycle of stallions is characterized by an annual regression and recrudescence in testicular function and concentrations of LH, FSH, and testosterone in serum. Maximum reproductive capacity occurs during the increasing day lengths of spring and summer. The annual cycle in LH secretion may reflect a seasonally associated and photosensitive reduction and replenishment in pituitary content of LH. Similar to other seasonal breeders, it appears that stallions may possess an endogenous circannual rhythm in reproductive function that is subject to manipulation by altering the light:dark ratio, i.e., photoperiod. The application of a long-day photoperiod (16 hours light:8 hours dark) in December, following 20 weeks of short days (8 hours light:16 hours dark), was effective in hastening the seasonal sexual recrudescence of stallions but was not effective in prolonging the interval of heightened reproductive capacity. The infantile period in colts lasts approximately 32 weeks and is characterized by low gonadotropin concentrations and little gonadal activity. The start of the pre-pubertal period is marked by changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis which result in increased amounts of LH and FSH secretion between 32 and 40 weeks of age. Testosterone concentrations in serum exhibit a dramatic increase at 75 to 80 weeks of age, with puberty (defined as the age when the first ejaculate was obtained containing a minimum of 50 x 10(6) sperm with greater than or equal to 10% progressive motility) occurring at 83 weeks of age.