Abstract
A study was made of the gross anatomy and histological appearances of the testes in a free adult and adolescent Qorilla gorilla beringei. Macroscopically the testes were found to resemble the human testis. Microscopy revealed the presence of a large proportion of interstitial cells of Leydig in both adult and adolescent testes. In both testes spermatogenesis was active. The weight of the testes relative to the total body weight is found to be smaller than in other anthropoids. The histology is compared with that of captive animals. Spermatogenesis in the wild gorilla is compared with the so‐called sexual immaturity of captive gorillas, and to the age of dental and skeletal maturation.SummaryA macroscopic and microscopic description of the testes of free adult and adolescent specimens of Gorilla gorilla beringei is presented.The size of the testes in relation to the total body weight is the smallest among the anthropoid apes.The large proportion of testicular interstitial tissue found in captive animals is present in the two free gorillas, and is therefore a normal finding.The onset of spermatogenesis precedes dental and skeletal maturation in the free Gorilla gorilla beringei.
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