Experimental trial demonstrates enhanced Leydig cell testosterone production following unilateral castration in Holstein bulls, suggesting age-dependent compensatory testicular adaptation.
The effects of unilateral castration (UC) and induced unilateral cryptorchidism (CR) on in vitro Leydig cell function were determined utilizing 36 Holstein bulls altered at either 3, 6 or 9 mo of age. Testes were removed 11 mo after gonadal manipulation and Leydig cells were dispersed in media containing 0 or 75 ng luteinizing hormone (LH). After incubation for 4 h, testosterone (T) concentration in the media was determined by radioimmunoassay. Leydig cells of UC animals produced greater (P less than .001) amounts of T than did Leydig cells of either CR or intact (IN) bulls with either 0 or 75 ng LH. Leydig cell T response was greater (P less than .001) in UC animals altered at 3 mo of age than in those altered at 6 or 9 mo of age. In a second experiment using only UC bulls altered at 3 mo of age, similar results were obtained. Leydig cells of UC bulls produced greater (P less than .05) amounts of T in vitro, both without LH or in response to 75 ng LH, than did Leydig cells of IN bulls at 10 mo after gonadal manipulation. Results indicate that UC in the bull causes increased Leydig cell capacity for T production in the remaining hypertrophied testis and this effect is greater when UC is performed at 3 mo of age than at 6 or 9 mo of age.
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Boockfor et al. (1983) studied this question.
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