Contribution of individual compartments of the genital tract to oestrogen and testosterone concentrations in ejaculates of the boar

Abstract

The investigation of steroids in compartments of the genital tract of boars revealed that in the tubular fluid a pattern apparently exists which is unique in this compartment. It is characterized by high concentrations of unconjugated testosterone (35 ng/ml) and even higher amounts of oestradiol-17 beta (42.6 ng/ml) whereas in other compartments oestrone is the predominant oestrogen. At least in the ejaculate half of the total amount of oestrogens is bound to sperms and it is concluded that sperms act as a carrier for oestrogens. The accessory sex glands contribute to ejaculate concentrations to a varying degree (unconjugated testosterone 55%, conjugated testosterone 20%, unconjugated oestrogens 22%, conjugated oestrogens 12%) as could mainly be demonstrated by vasectomy with and without administration of hCG. Increasing the frequencies of ejaculations (up to three times a day) shows that the steroid transfer into the ejaculate is a rapid process.