Development of the testis and epididymis of the Clun Forest ram

Abstract

SUMMARYObservations were made on the development of the testes and epididymides of thirty-two Clun Forest ram lambs. There were no significant differences between the weights and volumes of the left and right testes and epididymides.The rate of increase in testicular and epididymal weights was linear up to a body weight of 46 lb (20·9 kg) followed subsequently by a significantly greater rate of increase at higher body weights. Similar patterns of growth occurred in relation to age, although at a given age there was a wide range of testicular and epididymal weights. There was a close relationship between the development of the testis and the epididymis at body weights greater than 46 lb (20·9 kg).There were two distinct phases in the dimensional growth of the testis. Increases in testicular length and breadth proceeded at much the same rate at testis weights of below 20 g. During the subsequent phase testicular length increased at a significantly greater rate than testis breadth.