LH and testosterone secretions in response to GnRH challenge in pubertal Japanese Black beef bulls with normal and abnormal semen

Abstract

Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone concentrations were examined in Japanese Black beef bulls with normal and abnormal semen in response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) challenge at the start (10 months) and completion (20 months) of puberty. Bulls with normal semen had higher testosterone concentrations after GnRH treatment at 20 months than they did at 10 months, while LH concentrations did not differ between the two age groups. LH and testosterone concentrations were not different between bulls with normal and abnormal semen at 20 months. Thus, testosterone secretions in response to the GnRH challenge were higher for bulls with normal semen at pubertal completion compared to bulls at the start of puberty, but responsiveness of LH to GnRH and of testosterone to the LH increment was not altered in bulls with abnormal semen.