Studies on the postnatal development of testis in Malabari goat

Abstract

A detailed study on the postnatal development of testis is undertaken using 39 pairs of testis of goats belonging to Malabari breed. The animals varied in age from one day to 180 days. The experimental animals were divided into 13 groups having an age difference of 15 days between groups. It was observed that the testicular weight was positively correlated with age and body weight of the animal. The growth of testis could be divided into two phases. A slow gradual increase in weight until about 135 days of age and a sharp rise thereafter till adulthood. The left testis was found to be more heavier than the right testis in the same animal. During growth, the shape of the organ was not altered. The diameter or seminiferous tubule was found to be positively correlated with age, body weight and testicular weight of the animal. Weight of testis was found to be having a greater influence on the diameter of seminiferous tubule than age or body weight. Goat testis follows five phases of postnatal development based on histological changes. It was established that a Malabari buck attains sexual maturity by the age of 180 days.