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Introduction

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The normal bovine male reproductive system consists of paired testes retained within a sac or purse‐like structure known as the scrotum, which is formed from the outpouching of skin from the abdomen and consists of complex layers of tissue. The testes are accompanied by a number of supporting structures including spermatic cords, accessory sex glands (prostate, bulbourethral, paired vesicular glands), penis, prepuce, and the male ductal system. The testicular duct system is extensive and comprises the vas efferentia found within the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, and urethra, all of which are located external to the testes. The reader is referred to the chapter on the anatomy of the reproductive system of the bull in this book (Chapter 1). The primary functions of the testes are to produce male gametes (spermatozoa) and the endocrine factors, such as steroid (testosterone) and protein hormones (inhibin, insulin‐like peptide 3), which help regulate the reproductive function of the bull in concert with hormonal secretions from the hypothalamus (gonadotropin‐releasing hormone) and pituitary glands (luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH)). The testes consist of parenchymal tissue that supports the interstitial tissue and includes the steroid‐producing Leydig cells, vascular and lymphatic system, and seminiferous tubules within which the germinal tissue develops with the support of the nurse cells more commonly known as Sertoli cells. Chapter 5 discusses in detail the endocrine factors responsible for testicular development and initiation of spermatogenesis in the bull, and thus this chapter focuses more on the regulation and function of the adult testes. This chapter will not undertake a treatise of those conditions that disrupt testicular function but rather will focus, as practically as is possible, on what is known of the endocrine and exocrine function of the bovine testes. Much of the endocrine and exocrine function of the testes is similar across mammalian species, and where specific information is absent for the bovine, examples will be given from other domestic species when possible. It has not been possible to cite the many significant contributions to the field of endocrine and exocrine function of the testes. Thus, where and when possible, the reader is referred to selected citations for additional reading.

Bovine Reproduction

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