Puberty and Sexual Maturity in Male Animals

Puberty and sexual maturity in male animals refer to two important stages of reproductive development.

Puberty in male animals is the age when the generative organs become functional and reproduction becomes possible, but full reproductive capacity—marked by increased ejaculate volume and sperm quality—is achieved later at sexual maturity.

Puberty in Male

Puberty may be defined as the age or time at which the generative organs become functional and reproduction may occur.

Puberty occurs when the male is capable of producing spermatozoa and development of secondary sexual character.

Pre pubertal animals will frequently show evidence of mounting behavior and penile erection.

Development of Puberty

Primary spermatocytes appear in the seminiferous tubules by 4 to 6 months and spermatozoa by 7-9 months of age in bulls.

Seminal secretion from the accessory glands appears by 5-6 months.

Separation of the penis from the sheath in bulls proceeds caudally beginning at one month of age and ending with complete separation by 8 months of age. The period from 6 to 10 months of age in bulls is characterized by the accelerated growth of male genital system, increase in GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus, increase in concentration of LH in plasma, external manifestations of puberty and the rapid onset of spermatogenesis.

Sexual Maturity

Attainment of puberty does not signify the full reproductive capacity in males. A highly significant increase in ejaculate volume, output of motile spermatozoa and concentration of spermatozoa in bulls for 6-9 months after the onset of puberty. Hence there is gap between the attainment of puberty and full reproductive capacity. Males attains full potential of reproduction at the time of attainment of sexual maturity. If puberty is delayed sexual maturity also gets delayed.

Because of the lack of maturity after the onset of puberty immature males should be sparingly used for breeding purposes for ½ to 1 year or more after reaching the puberty.

Signs of Puberty

Pubertal period indicate accelerated growth rate of genital system-increased LH releasing factor in hypothalamus and plasma LH.

Onset of puberty in male is characterized by:

• Secondary sexual signs
• Sex desire
• Ability to copulate and presence of viable spermatozoa in the ejaculate
• First appearance of seminal secretion from accessory sex glands

Mechanism for Onset of Puberty or Sex Desire

Onset of puberty in the male domestic animals occurs at approximately the same time after birth as puberty in females of the same species. It is brought about by the release of gonadotrophic hormone from the anterior pituitary resulting in the secretion of steroid hormones from the gonads that cause growth of genital organs and secondary sex characteristics.