N. A. Volkova
L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, pos. Dubrovitsy, 60, Podol’sk, Moskovskaya obl., 142132, Russian Federation
Abstract. The use of the genetic potential of wild species in the new breeding forms creation of farm animals is considered as a promising direction in animal husbandry, the purpose of which is to increase the genetic diversity of animals and obtain individuals with improved economically useful traits. At the same time, the breeding and use of such hybrid animals in breeding programs requires a deeper study of their physiological characteristics, primarily reproductive qualities. The aim of the paper was to study the age-related features of spermatogenesis in the dynamics of the epitheliospermatogenic layer cells development and individual structural units of the parenchymal tissue of the testes in males’ interspecific hybrids obtained from argali with Romanov breed ewes. The histological structure of the convoluted seminiferous tubules in the testes from hybrid animals at the age of 2, 4, 6 and 12 months was studied. The dynamics of the development of the seminiferous tubules in the testis and the composition of spermatogenic cells in them were studied. The size of the seminiferous tubules in the testes of interspecific hybrids males has been changed during ontogeny. At the age of 2, 4, 6 and 12 months, the diameters of the seminiferous tubules in hybrid animals were 46±2, 77±2, 117±4 and 179±2 µm, respectively, and the cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubule was 1838±125, 5534±317, 11048±730 and 23766±617 µm2. The population of cells inside the seminiferous tubules of the testes was represented by Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells at different stages of their differentiation. At the age of 2 and 4 months, the cells of the epitheliospermatogenic layer were represented mainly by 2 types of cells: Sertoli cells and spermatogonia. At the age of 4 months, spermatocytes were detected in separate seminiferous tubules, at the age of 6 months – spermatids. In the seminiferous tubules of 12-month-old hybrid animals, all types of spermatogenic cells were present, while the presence of spermatozoa in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules was insignificant. The obtained results indicate a later puberty of hybrid animals compared to the original maternal breed (Romanov breed), which must be taken into account when breeding and selecting these animals.
Key words: Ovis, argali, rams, Romanov breed, interspecific hybrids, testes, spermatogenesis
Author Details: N. A. Volkova, D. Sc. (Biol.), head of laboratory (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.)
For citation: Volkova NA [Dynamics of spermatogenesis in male interspecific hybrids of domestic sheep and argali] Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2022;36(8):61-6. Russian. doi: 10.53859/02352451_2022_36_8_61.