SEASONAL CHANGES IN SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVEL AND IN SOME GENITAL ORGANS OF ONE-HUMPED MALE CAMELS

Serum testosterone level was determined during the different seasons of the year in relation to testicular, epididymal and prostate gland weights and the diameter of pelvic urethra of a total of 29 adult one humped male camels (Camelus dromedarius). Serum testosterone level showed a significant increase (P / 0.001) during spring than during Autumn and Winter and a significant increase (P / 0.05) than during Summer. A significant increase (P / 0.05) in testicular and prostate gland weights was observed during Spring than during other seasons of the year. No significant variations were observed in the epididymal weight or the diameter of pelvic urethra at the different seasons. A
significant negative correlation (P/ 0.05) between testosterone level and both of testicular and epididymal weights was observed during Summer. However, a non significant correlation was found between testosterone level and different criteriae during other seasons of the year. Moreover, a significant correlation (P / 0.01) was detected bet ween testicular and epididymal weights during Spring.