THE EFFECT OF UNDERNUTRITION AND REHABILITATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS: PIGS

Abstract

SUMMARY (1) During prolonged undernutrition in pigs from 2 to 3 weeks of age: (a) the tubules of the testes developed but the interstitial cells regressed and became unrecognizable; (b) the glans penis became large and oedematous; (c) the primordial follicles in the ovaries developed and some became large and cystic but ovulation did not follow; (d) the uterus and vulva enlarged. (2) During rapid rehabilitation: (a) The vulva and testicles became much enlarged relative to the rest of the body; (b) the glans penis developed but the oedema disappeared and was replaced by collagen and cellular material; (c) the female animals did not ovulate until they were approaching the body weight at which ovulation normally occurs; (d) the seminiferous tubules of the testes showed active spermatogenesis when the animals were still relatively small but the interstitial cells did not reappear until later.