Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Divergent development of testosterone secretion in male zebu (Bos indicus) and crossbred cattle (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during growth

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Delayed pubertal development and low fertility of Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred male cattle and domestic buffaloes is hardly understood hence, a sensitive enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) was developed using the second antibody-coating technique and testosterone-3-O-carboxymethyloxime-horseradish peroxidase conjugate as a label for determination of testosterone in blood plasma. The EIA was validated by standard criteria. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture from growing male cattle (Karan Fries and Sahiwal) and buffalo (Murrah) and testosterone was estimated using the EIA procedure. Plasma testosterone concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) with advancing age. Testosterone concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in Sahiwal males in comparison to Karan Fries males. The low testosterone levels in crossbred than Sahiwal could imply that crossbred males have either not stabilized genetically or not adapted well in Indian climatic conditions resulting in poor libido and poor semen quality. The low testosterone levels in Murrah buffalo males may be the possible reason for delayed maturity in this species. The direct, sensitive EIA validated for estimating the plasma testosterone concentration was reliable for studying the testosterone profile in blood plasma of males. The results suggest that there could be a requirement for higher testosterone secretion by males during early stages of growth for attaining early sexual maturity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anandlaxmi, N.,Prakash, B.S.,2001. Production and purification of goat antirabbit IgG. Indian Journal of Dairy Science, 54, 332-334

    Google Scholar 

  • Bag, U.K., 2000. Testosterone and cortisol levels in relation to growth rate in bull calves, M.Sc. Thesis, NDRI (Deemed University), Karnal, Haryana, India

  • Bhatnagar, D.S.,Gurnani, M., Sharma, R.C., Sundaresan, D.,1979a. Tharparkar herd at Karnal, National Dairy Research Institute, 1979, Publ. No. 148, p. 32

  • Bhatnagar, D.S., Sharma, R.C., Gurnani, M., Sundaresan, D., 1979b. The Karnal Sahiwal and Red Sindhi cows. National Dairy Research Institute, 1979, Publ. No. 152, p.44

  • Blottner, S.,Hingst, O., Meyer, H.H.D., 1996. Seasonal spermatogenesis and testosterone production in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 108, 299-305

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chantraprateep, P., Kamonpatana, M., Lohachit, C., Kunawongkrit, A., Verakul, P., Bodhipaksha, P., Ngramsuriyaroj, C., 1981. Circadian variation of plasma LH and testosterone in adult swamp buffalo bulls, Theriogenology, 15, 161-171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chauhan, I., 2007. Influence of genetic and non-genetic factors in semen production in Karan Fries bulls, M.V.Sc Thesis, NDRI (Deemed University), Karnal, Haryana, India

  • Dhami, A.,Shelke, V.B., Patel, A.V., Dave, R.R., Kavani, F.S., 2003. Comparative patterns of episodic release of testosterone and androstenedione following GnRH treatment in Gir and Jafarabadi breeding bulls. Indian Journal of Animal Science, 73, 1214-1218

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, H., Mason, I.L., 1984. Cattle: In Evolution of domesticated animals, (Ed. I.L. Mason), p 6-27, Longman: London, 1984, p. 452

  • Gleixner, A., Meyer, H.H.D., 1997. Detection of estradiol and testosterone in hair of cattle by HPLC/EIA, Journal of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 357, 1198-1201.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Illera, J.C.,Lorenzo, P. L. Silvan, G., Munro, C.J., Illera, M.J., Illera, M.,1997. Enzyme immunoassay for testosterone and androstenedione in culture medium from rabbit oocytes matured in vitro, Theriogenology, 47, 1375-1388

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, J.B.,Maddocks, S., Sharpe, R.M.,1992. Testosterone and FSH have independent, synergistic and stage dependent effects upon spermatogenesis in the rat testis, Cell and Tissue Research, 268, 179-189

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khate, K., 2005. Studies on multistage selection of dairy bulls, M.V.Sc Thesis, NDRI (Deemed University), Karnal, Haryana, India

  • Liebermann, S., Erlanger, B.F., Beiesr, S.M., Agate, F.J., 1959. Steroids-Protein conjugates: their chemical, immunological and endocrinological properties, Progress in Hormone Research, 15, 165-196

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandal, D.K., Tyagi, S.,2004. Pre-copulatory behavior of Sahiwal bulls during semen collection and effects of age and season on their sexual performance. Indian Journal of Dairy Science, 57, 334-338

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandal, D.K., Tyagi, S., Kumar, M., 2008. Sexual behavior in Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal crossbred bulls. Indian Veterinary Journal, 85, 636-639

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, H.H.D., 1986. Possibilities to improve enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) techniques and their application in animal production. In: IAEA and FAO Proceedings of an international symposium on the use of nuclear techniques in studies of animal production and health in different environment, p. 256-262

  • Pitra, C.,Fürbass, R., Seyfert, H.M.,1997. Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Bovini (Mammalia: Artiodactyla): alternative placement of the Anoa, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 10, 589-600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Post, T.B, Reich, M.M., Bindon, B.M., 1987. Characterization of LH and testosterone responses to intramuscular injection of GnRH in tropical postpubertal bulls. Theriogenology, 27, 305-315

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prakash, B.S.,Meyer, H.H.D.,Schallenberger, E.,Van de Wiel, D.F.M., 1987. Development of a sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for progesterone determination in unextracted bovine plasma using the second antibody technique. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry, 6, 623-627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prakash, B.S.,Metten, M., Schams, D., Wuttke, W., 1998. Development of a sensitive enzymeimmunoassay for oxytocin determination in bovine plasma, Animal Reproduction Science, 51, 185-194

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prakash, B.S.,Wallenhorst, S., Metten, M., Holtz, M., Wuttke, W., 1999. Development of a sensitive enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) for FSH determination in bovine plasma, Animal Reproduction Science, 55, 183-192

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, N. A. V., Sreemanarayana, O., Rao, C.V., 1996. Studies on sex behavior and seminal traits in Ongole, Jersey, Jersey x Ongole and Murrah bulls. Indian Veterinary Journal, 73, 284-287

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawlings, N.C., Hafs, H.D., Swanson, L.V., 1972. Testicular and blood plasma androgen in Holstein bulls from birth through puberty, Journal of Animal Science, 34, 433-440

    Google Scholar 

  • Secchiari, P., Martorana, F., Pellegrini, S., Luisi, M.,1976. Variation of plasma testosterone in developing Friesian bulls, Journal of Animal Science, 42, 405-409

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, I.J.,Agarwal, S.P., Agarwal, V.K., Dwaraknath, P.K.,1984. Changes in profiles of serum sex steroids of male buffaloes from birth to maturity, Theriogenology, 22, 175-186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sitarz, N.E., Erb, R.E., Martin, T.G.,Singleton, W.L.,1977. Relationships between blood plasma testosterone, weaning treatment, daily gains and certain physical traits of young Angus bulls, Journal of Animal Science, 45, 342-349

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, L.V.,Wettemann, R.P., Rawlings, N.C.,Hafs, H.D.,Magee, W.T.,1971. Pubertal relationship of some endocrine and reproductive criteria in Hereford bulls. Journal of Animal Science, 33, 823-828

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. A.K. Srivastava, Director, National Dairy Research Institute, for providing the necessary facilities for the conduct of this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dairy Cattle Physiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India

    S. Gulia, Vijay Kumar & B. S. Prakash

  2. Physiology and Climatology Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, 243122, India

    M. Sarkar

  3. Physiology Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, 85350, Freising, Germany

    H. H. D. Meyer

Authors
  1. S. Gulia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Sarkar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vijay Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. H. D. Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. B. S. Prakash
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. S. Prakash.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gulia, S., Sarkar, M., Kumar, V. et al. Divergent development of testosterone secretion in male zebu (Bos indicus) and crossbred cattle (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during growth. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 1143–1148 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9538-x

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9538-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation