Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2013
Volume 16
Issue 3
Topic:
Animal Husbandry
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Lasota B. , Jarczyńska A. , Felska-Błaszczyk L. , Laszczyńska M. , Seremak B. , Skuratko A. 2013. CHANGES IN TESTICULAR WEIGHT AND VOLUME OF AMERICAN MINK (NEOVISON VISON) BEFORE AND DURING MATING SEASON, EJPAU 16(3), #12.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume16/issue3/abs-12.html

CHANGES IN TESTICULAR WEIGHT AND VOLUME OF AMERICAN MINK (NEOVISON VISON) BEFORE AND DURING MATING SEASON

Bogdan Lasota1, Agata Jarczyńska1, Lidia Felska-Błaszczyk2, Maria Laszczyńska3, Beata Seremak1, Agata Skuratko1
1 Department of Biotechnology of Reproduction and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
2 Department of Animal Anatomy, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
3 Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Poland

 

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to compare the size of testes in male mink of two color varieties, before and during the breeding season, with an intention of a possible application of any existing differences as one of the criteria for selection of males for mating.


Weight and volume measurements were performed on 246 testes collected from 123 males of two color types: Mahogany and Standard Black (Black Velvet). Testes were collected before the breeding season (December 8) and just on the end of the season (March 31). Comparison of weight and volume of testes collected in December and March showed a considerable and statistically significant increase in both parameters. Testicular weight increased by about 1.87-fold in Mahogany and 1.47-fold in Black Velvet (from 1.94 to 3.64 g and from 2.36 to 3.48 g, respectively), while the increase in volume was over 12-fold in Mahogany and 9-fold in Black Velvet (from 0.27 to 3.48 cm3 and from 0.34 to 3.07 cm3, respectively). Before the season the weight of about 57% of testes remained in the range 1.5–2.0 g, and during the season about 63% of samples were in the range of 3.5 to 4.0 g. Juxtaposition of the average weight and volume of the right and left testes in different color types before and during the mating season has shown that there was a significant increase in testicular weight as well as volume for both color types, in both right and left testes.

Key words: mink, testicle size, season.


Bogdan Lasota
Department of Biotechnology of Reproduction and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
Judyma 6, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
Phone +48 91 4496741
email: Bogdan.lasota@zut.edu.pl

Agata Jarczyńska
Department of Biotechnology of Reproduction and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
Judyma 6, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
Phone +48 91 4496742
email: agata-jarczynska@o2.pl

Lidia Felska-Błaszczyk
Department of Animal Anatomy, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
Judyma 14, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
Phone: +48 91 4496761
email: lidia.felska-blaszczyk@zut.edu.pl

Maria Laszczyńska
Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Poland
Żołnierska 48, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Phone: +48 91 4800908
email: laszcz@sci.pam.szczecin.pl

Beata Seremak
Department of Biotechnology of Reproduction and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
Judyma 6, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
Phone: +48 91 4496742
email: beata.seremak@zut.edu.pl

Agata Skuratko
Department of Biotechnology of Reproduction and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
Judyma 6, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
Phone: +48 91 4496742
email: agata.skuratko@gmail.com

Responses to this article, comments are invited and should be submitted within three months of the publication of the article. If accepted for publication, they will be published in the chapter headed 'Discussions' and hyperlinked to the article.